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This summer, Fundación Pachamama is honored to collaborate with Professor Maurizio Gnerre, a prestigious Italian linguist, on key cultural preservation projects in Achuar territory that will add much to wider efforts to safeguard the life-sustaining wisdom of ancient indigenous cultures.
Highlighting the Cultural Wealth of the Amazon
In particular, a cultural mapping project being implemented in Ti’inkias as part of the eco-tourism work there and an Achuar communication program currently in development will both gain new support from the collaboration.
Professor Gnerre’s knowledge of the Achuar language will also inform Fundación Pachamama’s efforts to highlight the link between language and biodiversity and the socio-cultural impact of extractivist activities on the south-central Amazon territories.
Unique Archives from 40 Years of Fieldwork
Professor Gnerre, who is a faculty member at Naples Eastern University (Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"), has logged 40 years of fieldwork with the Achuar people during his career.
Fortunately, he has brought with him some unique archives: rare unedited recordings of the Achuar. This precious material will be archived in Fundación Pachamama’s office in Quito for use in future activities and research.
Of the 6,000 languages spoken on Earth today, 3,000 are not spoken by children–every two weeks an elder goes to the grave with the last spoken word of that culture.
Imagine the culture and connection to Mother Earth that is lost in the disappearance of these ancient lineages, and it becomes clear just how invaluable Professor Gnerre’s recordings and knowledge are to our work.
