The little house by the creek

Abstract

I am Elenice Sakyrabiar, I am 20 years old and a proud representative of the Sakyrabiar (or Sakurabiat) people. My culture and traditions are deeply intertwined with my family roots. I am the daughter of Olímpio Sakyrabiar and Margareth Makurap. Although my mother has passed away, she remains alive in my memories and in the history of our family.

I live on the Rio Mequens Indigenous Land, in Koopi Village, located in the state of Rondônia. My paternal grandparents, Vicência Sakyrabiar and the great shaman Aipere Koopi Sakyrabiar, are emblematic figures in my life. My grandfather Aipere Koopi, known for his wisdom and spiritual connection to the land, is remembered as a leader who guided our people with ancestral knowledge.

On the other hand, my maternal grandparents, Mariza Gomes Makurap and Severino Sakyrabiar, also contributed to shaping my identity. My maternal grandmother, Mariza, is part of the Makurap people, an ethnic group with its own struggles and achievements. Today, the Makurap are recognized as warriors who are part of our collective history. Their experiences and resilience enrich the cultural fabric of our people.

I am passionate about writing stories, especially about the events of my people. I decided to reveal this part of myself to seek more knowledge and visibility for my people. Although we are few in number, we carry great struggles and stories that deserve to be told.

Currently, I seek to revive and recover aspects of my people's mother tongue. Although I speak only isolated words due to the gradual loss of the elders who knew the language, I am committed to keeping this essential part of our culture alive.

Thus, my story is a reflection of resilience and dedication to the cultural heritage that has been passed on to me. I continue to honor my ancestors and contribute to strengthening the identity of my people.