Indigenous communities from the Willimon Center, Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, promoted on April 20 an organic seed exchange fair through the Seed Network of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) Zamada Yda'I. Tuxauas from at least five communities participated and Covid-19 prevention protocols were respected, such as distancing, use of masks and 70% alcohol gel.
During the fair, organic seeds produced by the communities of the region were donated, including peppers, purple yams, white, corn with traditional Macuxi names Kamaran and Sawî, rice from the mountain region and at least 12 types of beans, including pinto beans, white beans, lazy beans, cowpeas, fat beans, gonsalim, jaulão do sul and red beans
With the support of the Institute for Climate and Society (ICS), the Zamada Yda'I Seed Network network aims to disseminate and preserve traditional seeds, which in some communities have disappeared significantly.
"Seeds are also a way for us to help in resistance, especially in areas of conflict," said Kelliane Wapichana, territorial manager of the Environmental Department of the Indigenous Council of Roraima.
Ernestina Afonso de Souza, from the Macuxi people, also participated in the fair. In October 2019, she visited Pope Francis, showed native seeds and explained where each one came from, and said that she always understood the importance of valuing and fighting for land and traditional seeds because her ancestors already did this.
"To have our traditional seeds we went to the fight for the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, all production represents resistance. I am sad when they say that mining brings development, we defend land, water, our forests. These seeds that are here are the results of our struggle," he said.
Other leaders present at the fair were the coordinator of the center Willimon Amarildo da Silva and Maria Betânia Macuxi, general secretary of the indigenous women's movement of the CIR.
