BRAND NEW

ONLINE experience

Sapara Storytelling Series

Stories That Unite Worlds

February 4th- February 5th

The importance of Storytelling

For many indigenous communities storytelling is a cornerstone of survival and resilience. It is through their stories that they are able to preserve their traditions, customs, and ancestral wisdom ensuring that even if their people and ways of life are physically lost, their spiritual and cultural essence endures. These narratives act as living archives, embodying knowledge about sustainable living, respect for nature, and the interconnectedness of life.

For indigenous peoples, storytelling is not just an act of preservation but also a means of planting seeds for the future. These stories carry the values, teachings, and experiences of the community, serving as a guide for future generations. They offer lessons on harmony with the Earth and the importance of leaving a legacy that benefits all living beings. As these seeds are harvested, future generations can draw upon them to make wiser, more compassionate choices, creating a better story for themselves and the planet.

Even in the face of extinction, storytelling ensures that the spirit of a community lives on. It holds the potential to inspire change, create understanding, and rebuild connections with the Earth, leaving behind a timeless story that nurtures both humanity and the planet.

The Teaching of Unanchay

Unanchay is the legacy of the past, preserved in our memory from the moment we are born.

It embodies the wisdom passed down by our ancestors to guide us through life, reminding us that we are one with those who came before us, part of an unbroken historical lineage.

It is crucial to honor the lessons of our elders and to continue teaching them to our children.

Unanchay is passed from generation to generation, allowing us to live harmoniously in this shared space of existence as one.

the experience

Day 1: The Sapara Origin Story

On the first day you’ll be transported deep into the Amazon. Manari will open the container with a Ceremony to connect to the spirit world. You will hear the origin story according to the Sapara people. In this story, you’ll learn why humans dream, the importance of Storytelling in many Indigenous traditions, how life began on Earth and how this process is affecting humanity in the present moment.

Day 2: The Story of Kashikua

On the second day, Manari will share the story of Kashikua (the moon) and how the moon had the ability to transform from a boy to a girl, shapeshifting between the two. And that wisdom stayed in the world (unangay) is wisdom. And why people are born with those thoughts and feelings. how the power of the sun is aligned with the strength of Yunangi. You’ll learn about Unanchay, the legacy of the past in order to understand the present.

Join us for the Sapara Cosmovision Storytelling

with Manari Ushigua

1 payment of $89 or 3 monthly payments of $32

Meet your guide Manari Ushigua

Manari Ushigua is a traditional healer and leader of the Sapara Nation in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Manari was named one of the 100 Latinos 2021 committed to climate action. Manari has been a key figure in the indigenous movement of his country as the Vice President of CONAIE (The National Indigenous Organization of Ecuador) from 2013-2016, and as the President of the Sapara Indigenous Federation from 1999 to 2012. He’s participated in international events, like COP21 UN Climate Summit and the UN Universal Periodic Review of human rights, raising awareness about the threat to his homeland.

Manari is the co-founder of the Naku Center in Sapara territory, creating a new economic model in the Amazon that is based around cultural and forest preservation.

FAQs

  • Yes! The virtual gatherings will be recorded and emailed out within 4 hours of the event so you can watch each class at a time that works for you. As an international community, we know that the Zoom time won't work for everyone. If you can't make it live, simply find a time that works for you in your schedule to watch the recording.

  • The three day sessions will be on:

    Monday February 4th

    Tuesday February 5th

    Time: 9:30am PST / 12:30am/ 12:30pm EST + Ecuador / 5:30pm UK.

    Each class will be between 75 minutes.

    As soon as you register, you’ll get invited to join a shared calendar to have easy access to the class zoom link & have the sessions added to your calendar.

  • 50% of the funds generated from the workshop goes directly to support the Sapara Nation. Specific initiatives directly impacted by these financial resources are self funded education for Sapara communities, emergency medical funds, funds for mobilizations around halting oil drilling and logging in the Amazon and more.

  • This will be the first time we share this experience with our global community. We can’t guarantee we will run this experience again.

  • At this time, we do not offer any program refunds or cancellations if you sign up for the payment plan. If you are not sure if the workshop is a right fit for you, please contact us and we will help you decide if you should enroll.

  • Manari delivers the program in Spanish and our program director, Barbara Sanchez, translates. We have participants who are bilingual and many who only speak English. Whether you are a native Spanish or English speaker, you are invited to join us!