Who is Kuñangue Aty Guasu?
The Kuñangue Aty Guasu is the Great Assembly of Guarani and Kaiowá indigenous women, based in Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil. It was founded in 2006 when indigenous women decided collectively that they would be their own spokespersons and create their own space for political discussion and decision-making. This historic event began in the sacred territory Nãnderu Marangatu, Municipality of Antônio João-MS. Other editions were held in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Guarani and Kaiowá women meet to debate agendas that are part of their daily lives such as the demarcation of traditional territories, citizenship, social rights, public security, and social participation. Specific topics such as violence experienced by Guarani and Kaiowá women, food sovereignty, and the right to consume food without pesticides, and the impacts of monoculture around Guarani and Kaiowá land, racism and prejudice, religious intolerance, the rights of children and adolescents, the rights of elders, protection and restoration of the environment, climate change, and the Guarani and Kaiowá political struggle.
It is an assembly organized by women, where representatives of various communities have a voice, and a space for participation and decision-making. The Nhandesys (female shamans) and Nhanderus (male shamans) are present at the meeting, along with young people, social movements, activists, and international and national press, universities, researchers, and other supporters. Regional, state, and federal authorities linked to indigenous concerns, as well as indigenous organizations, are also present in the plenary, to listen to the needs of the Kuñangue Aty Guasu and the women who compose it.
The Kuñangue Aty Guasu provides a space for the protagonism of indigenous women and the discussion of topics of high relevance for indigenous communities. In previous editions the audience has ranged from 400 to 600 people, where Kaiowá and Guarani women, representatives of all Tekohás (traditional territories), gather together to engage in dialogue and discussion of women's rights.
