The Spirit of Tatá

A Documentary Film Project

At 103 years old, Tatá Yawanawá was responsible for safeguarding his tribe’s spiritual legacy through the difficult years of colonization and interference by the rubber tappers and missionaries. Reaching near extinction in the mid-1980s, the Yawanawá decided to expel the missions and it was Tatá who helped lead a revival of their cultural and spiritual practices. He took on apprentices and students to learn the legends, ceremonies, music, healing ways, and sacred plant knowledge that had been kept secret in the hearts and minds of a small handful of shamans and elders during the mission period. Tatá was one of the most revered pajés in the Amazon. People came from all over the world to work and be healed by him.

The Spirit of Tatá offers a glimpse into Tatá’s final days—a historic and challenging moment for the tribe as they face losing their beloved elder and greatest living library of spiritual knowledge and power. Surrounded by the ongoing vigil of his family and students, we witness Tatá continuing to share his teachings from his deathbed—hoping to ensure the transfer of knowledge to the next generation. This story is emblematic of a story happening around the world—the story of cultures losing their elders while struggling to recover and revive their ancient languages and traditions before they are lost forever. The film aims to wake up modern audiences to the inherent and vital need to preserve, protect, and support the continuation of indigenous peoples and knowledge for the sake of all Life on earth.

You can support this film by donating through our GoFundMe campaign.

This project was made possible when director Jim Whitney and producer Amber Voiles had the immense honor of being initiated by Tatá Yawanawá. During one of the traditional shamanic ceremonies the tribal chief, Tashka Yawanawá, had a vision. He sat up from his hammock and said, “There needs to be a documentary about Tatá.” He explained that he’d missed the opportunity to document his father’s life, another great leader in their tribal history, and didn’t want the same to happen with Tatá. He knew it was now or never. And so the project was born. Over the next years, working with both Tashka and Matsini Yawanawà, one of Tatá’s successors, we were able to spend many months with the Yawanawá, documenting the tribe’s efforts to learn all they could from their beloved elder, right up to the final moment.

Tashka Yawanawá (Producer)

Tashka has served as Chief of the Yawanawá since 2001. Tashka and his wife Laura (Mixteca-Zapoteca) have worked to increase Yawanawá territory, reinvigorate Yawanawá culture, and establish economically and socially empowering relationships with the outside world. With other tribal leaders in the Amazon, he is working to restore dignity, identity and a sustainable economic future to indigenous populations, founded on their own values, culture and definition of prosperity. Tashka’s work as tribal chief has provided him with extensive experience in documentary film production, large scale events, writing and communications.

Ezra Chaouli (Executive Producer)

Born in Berlin, spending most of his professional life in Hamburg and London, Chaouli settled in Los Angeles in 2004. He received his BS in Economics from the University of London and holds an MBA from the Cass Business School, City University in London. Ezra has an extensive background in real estate development, renewable energy investment, and venture capital funding. As sustainability is only achievable by reconnecting with nature, Chaouli’s pursuit is raising awareness in recognition that everything on our planet and the universe is interconnected.

Josip Markus (Executive Producer)

After spending over 20 years working internationally in the financial services and technology industries in both technical and business roles, Josip has shifted his focus to being of service through nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and his Life Transformation Coaching business, Walk Your Path®. He is an avid global traveler and loves immersing himself in new cultures, studying indigenous spiritual traditions, and practicing grounding and mindfulness through barefoot hiking.

Bianca Malott (Associate Producer)

Born in Marin County, California. and moved to Rio de Janeiro to live with her Brazilian mother at the age of 2. Her life has been divided between both cultures ever since—California and Brazil—and she feels blessed to have the best of both worlds. The Brazilian in her is where she feels deeply rooted to being passionately expressive; the Californian in her has allowed for the expansion of a greater sense of higher self.

Bia Russo (Associate Producer)

Bia Russo is of Brazilian descent and is a Strategic Designer  working mostly as a creativity instructor and researcher. She holds a Master's degree in Human Factors from and a PhD in Emotional Design. Her work is about helping people reconnect with their own nature and express their identity and vision, and to make use of problem-solving design methodologies to tackle business problems in the most humane way. In her spare time, she plants organic food, takes care of the natural reserve she lives in, and studies medicinal plants.