The Palo Santo Regeneration Project by Kadiwéu Ceramists
The Kadiwéu Indigenous Reserve spans 539,000 hectares and includes six villages, making it the largest indigenous territory in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Located in Porto Murtinho, the reserve lies in a transition zone between the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes.
Palo Santo, scientifically known as Bursera graveolens or Bursera holywoodiana, is a tree species from the Burseraceae family that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions of South America. The tree holds significant cultural value for the Kadiwéu people. This slow-growing species, which can reach up to 18 meters in height, has a sweet, aromatic wood. When its branches are boiled, they release a resin that gives a distinctive black sheen to the pottery crafted by Kadiwéu women.
APE has approved the first phase of a project focused on a technical visit to assess areas within the Kadiwéu reserve where Palo Santo saplings will be sourced. This project, led by Elisangela Moraes, the president of the Association of Ceramists AMITK, aims to support the production of traditional Kadiwéu pottery. During the visit, the team will map and evaluate the areas where the Palo Santo trees, vital for creating the pottery's unique black finish, can be sustainably harvested. Currently, the trees grow approximately 150 km from the village, creating logistical challenges for the artisans. The project’s ultimate goal is to establish a Palo Santo nursery within the village, making it easier for the women to access materials and enhance their ability to commercialize their products.
Elisangela Moraes, the president of the Association of Ceramists AMITK
This visit was coordinated with the joint efforts of APE and the Porto Murtinho Municipal Government. The team included a driver, a biologist, two indigenous artisans from São João village, and the village chief, making a total of five participants.
Who are the Kadiweu Ceramists?
The Kadiwéu ceramists are renowned for their distinctive pottery, which play a vital role in their cultural and family life. The Kadiwéu's artistry has long captivated academics, with international anthropologists studying their creative processes and cultural significance. Their ceramics are crafted using intricate techniques that have been passed down through generations and are marked by several unique characteristics:
Impressed Contours: The pottery features impressed contours, which are filled with white powder to accentuate the intricate designs.
Ceremonial Houseware: Large bowls, known as mbocayà, serve as traditional ceremonial houseware, highlighting the deep cultural significance of these creations.
Careful Selection of Mud: The Kadiwéu carefully select the mud used for their pottery, ensuring the quality and durability of each piece.
Molding: The pots are skilfully molded by hand, preserving traditional methods.
Resin Coating: The pottery is coated with resin from the Palo Santo tree, giving it a distinctive black shine that sets Kadiwéu pottery apart.
The 2024 Fires
In 2024, the Pantanal wetlands, home to the Kadiwéu, faced devastating wildfires that escalated beyond the catastrophic levels of 2020. These fires were fueled by a combination of human-induced climate change and the effects of a strong El Niño, which brought prolonged drought and record-high temperatures. By mid-year, over 3,500 square kilometers (1,350 square miles) of the Pantanal had burned, exceeding early-season records from previous years. The fires were particularly severe in areas rich in dry biomass, which would typically remain waterlogged but were left parched due to successive droughts and reduced flooding
The Kadiwéu, whose territory encompasses parts of the Pantanal, have long depended on the region's biodiversity and hydrological cycles for their cultural and physical survival. The ongoing fires threaten not only their land but also their traditional ways of life, as they destroy flora and fauna integral to the ecosystem.
