Huni Kuin benefit concert

About this event

Invitation to a Benefit Concert with the Huni Kuin Family from the Amazon

Dear family & friends,

For the third year in a row, we are honored to welcome the Huni Kuin family — including Siã Huni Kuin, Ysaka Inu Bake, Yubeinu, and Shãkuany — back to the Netherlands. Over the years, a deep bond has grown between our communities. Through their presence, songs, prayers, and teachings, they have touched many hearts, opened new ways of seeing, and awakened a deeper connection to life, nature, and each other. What began as an encounter has become a meaningful cultural exchange rooted in friendship, trust, and reciprocity.

Put in your agenda: September 8th
This summer, after once again traveling for days from deep within the Amazon rainforest, they return to share their music, wisdom, and spirit with us — and we warmly invite you to be part of this special evening. On Tuesday September 8th, the Amazon arrives in Amsterdam for a unique evening of music, prayer, cultural exchange, and celebration in Ruigoord.

What to expect
The evening opens with the enchanting voices of a gifted musician, Laura de Waard, who practiced a deep study with the indigenous in the forest and who will share her medicinal songs born from this encounter, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. The Huni Kuin family, led by the esteemed Siã Hunikuī, will guide us through their traditions, sharing sacred chants, prayers, and their unique relationship with the Amazon rainforest. We will also gather in a traditional Katchanawa prayer circle, connecting together in community and intention. This is not just a concert, but a living cultural experience. There will be space to dance, sing, listen, and celebrate together.

Meet the family
- Siã Hunikuī is a respected spiritual leader and guardian of ancestral wisdom, dedicated to preserving the sacred relationship between the Huni Kuin people and the forest. Through his teachings, songs, and prayers, he shares a path of respect for nature, spirituality, and collective harmony.
- Yubeinu: A young apprentice deeply rooted in Huni Kuin tradition, Yubeinu carries forward the stories and wisdom of his people. As a Txana chief, he bridges ancient traditions with contemporary life, sharing the living culture of his ancestors.
- Shãkuany: Yubeinu’s wife, an artist dedicated to preserving her people's culture, has been involved in traditional practices since childhood and continues to deepen her understanding of Huni Kuin chants and prayers.
- Ysaka Inu Bake: a young Txana and spiritual leader from the village, is known for his sacred songs and healing melodies with innovative instruments. Deeply devoted to the spiritual traditions of his people, he represents a new generation carrying Huni Kuin wisdom into the future.
- Laura de Waard (opening act): a teacher of herbal medicine, and medicine artist who studied with the Yawanawá people in the Amazon rainforest. She combines her passion for traditional Amazonian music with her own heartfelt songs, received from spirit and rooted in Dutch soil.

Why attend?
This event is not just a concert; it's a chance to learn from a community dedicated to preserving their indigenous culture and way of life amidst the challenges posed by climate change and modern developments. Your presence directly supports the Huni Kuin community and their efforts to preserve their culture, spirituality, and the Amazon rainforest.

Fundraising
This concert is a fundraiser for two important projects for the Huni Kuin community. The first is the completion of a fish pond with a water-replacement system and a solar-powered pumping system. The second is the construction of a cultural center in the village. Both projects focus on protecting, managing, and promoting their cultural identity & heritage and the forest. We invite you to consider making an extra donation alongside your ticket. Muito gratidão!

Bring your family and friends
This is a rare chance to experience the spirit of the Amazon together with your loved ones. Some messages are meant to be shared collectively, and this evening is one of them.

Event Details
Date: September 8, 2026
Location: De Salon, Ruigoord, Amsterdam
Doors: 19:00
Start concert: 19:30
End concert: 22:00

We look forward to sharing this extraordinary evening with you! Só alegria!