The Maxakali tribe in Brazil is using their ancestral songs to revitalize the dwindling Atlantic Forest. Their territory, once rich in biodiversity, has been reduced to a fraction of its original size due to deforestation.
These songs contain detailed ecological knowledge, acting as 'snapshots' of extinct flora and fauna. The lyrics describe hundreds of species, including 33 types of bees, many unknown in Portuguese.
The Hāmhi project, initiated in 2023, integrates music into reforestation efforts. Caretakers sing to seeds during planting and cultivation, using the songs to recall ancestral ecological knowledge. The project has planted over 60 hectares of fruit trees and 155 hectares of Atlantic Forest vegetation, aiming to double the reforested area.
The Maxakali have also formed a fire brigade and created natural fire barriers using fire-resistant plants. They believe the songs help the forest grow, invoking the spirits of their ancestors to aid in the restoration.