The charismatic Omágua-Kambeba activist Rômulo, with his ‘Olho d’Água’ project, is reinventing cultural and environmental preservation in Alto Solimões. Discover the unique fusion of indigenous music and ecological education that promises to inspire future generations to protect their roots and the environment.

Rômulo is a unifying leader and tireless activist from Santo Antônio do Içá, Amazonas, passionately dedicated to preserving indigenous heritage. Of Omágua-Kambeba ancestry and living in an urban context, Rômulo has spent decades empowering his community, teaching music, and raising ecological awareness among over 100 young people. In his quest to reconnect with his roots, this journey inspires him to foster a sense of belonging among his relatives. His path is an example of steadfast commitment to cultural and environmental preservation, inspiring generations to value and protect their roots and nature through art.

Alto Solimões: Cross-Border Connections and Vibrant Communities

Alto Solimões is a region rich in cultural and ecological diversity, located in the Brazilian Amazon. Comprising three main areas—Upper Rio Solimões, Middle Rio Solimões, and Lower Rio Solimões—this region is an integral part of the Amazon River, which begins in Peru and crosses the border with Colombia. “We are also culturally interconnected with Peru and Colombia, which are right here at the border with Tabatinga, Atalaia do Norte, and Benjamin Constant, the three cities in our territory,” explains Rômulo, highlighting the cross-border connection.

He describes the city of Tabatinga as a busy border town, while Atalaia do Norte, known as the “city of jambo” for its abundant jambo trees, is located within the forest, on the Javari River, where isolated indigenous groups live. Rômulo fondly speaks about his hometown, São Paulo de Olivença, and the journey to his current residence in Santo Antônio do Içá, revealing the complexity and richness of his region. “If you go by canoe, it will take about two days of rowing to reach my city,” he says, illustrating the proximity and intimacy with the river that permeates local life. Alto Solimões, with its nine municipalities, is home to around 220,000 to 230,000 people, including various indigenous nations, forming a vibrant mosaic of cultures and histories.

Rômulo’s Journey to Reconnect with His Roots

Rômulo de Souza Elias, also known as Rômulo Vate (Vate = poet), began his journey to reconnect with his indigenous roots in a touching and unique way. His contact with indigenous culture started in São Paulo de Olivença, through a neighbor from the Ticuna nation. “I always used to go eat fish at her house, and she would tell me Ticuna stories,” recalls Rômulo. This contact sparked a deep curiosity about his own ancestry. Initially, Rômulo believed he was Ticuna, but research conducted by his relative, Tourinho, revealed that his great-grandmother, Clara, spoke Nyengatu and the Kambeba language.

Rômulo’s quest for Kambeba identity led him to discover a cultural revival movement. He reports, “My uncle managed to bring some Kambeba indigenous people to work on a revival with the State University of Amazonas.” This effort culminated in the creation of the Kambeba Organization of Alto Solimões (OKAS). Rômulo became involved in a collective effort to valorize the culture, founding Kambeba associations in the region where he lives. However, his journey was not easy. In Santo Antônio do Içá, he faced challenges in affirming his identity. “Some nations wanted me to be Caixana or Kokama. But I always said, I am Kambeba, and Kambeba is also called Omagua,” he stated. His determination to maintain his identity was crucial for his spiritual strengthening through the connection with his origins.

Resistance and Hope in the Kambeba Heritage

The history of the Kambeba people is marked by pain and resistance. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the nation faced intense persecution, leading many to hide and not identify as Kambeba. Rômulo recalls stories of cruelty faced by his ancestors, such as the violence inflicted by rubber plantation owners who would kill indigenous people. “The owners of the rubber would ask the indigenous person to climb açaí trees, and when they had the açaí in hand, they would shoot them with a shotgun,” he recounts. 

Despite these adversities faced by his ancestors, Rômulo found strength and inspiration in his cultural heritage. He discovered that the Kambebas were known as excellent builders and artisans. “The Kambebas had a strong adjective, which is the builder of houses, of canoes,” he explains. His journey is a testament to resistance and hope, reflecting the importance of knowing and celebrating our origins.

Today, Rômulo continues his cultural revival work with determination, seeking to strengthen Kambeba identity in his territory and beyond. “I want to drink from this ancestry, even to better understand where I come from,” he says. Through his actions, Rômulo inspires others to value their roots and preserve the history of their nations, celebrating the resistance and cultural richness of the Kambeba people.

The African Influence on Alto Solimões Culture and Indigenous Musicality

The rich cultural tapestry of Alto Solimões reveals a fascinating integration of African and indigenous influences, especially visible in the cordão do africano dance in São Paulo de Oliveira. This cultural manifestation not only preserves but also celebrates African roots in the region, evidenced by the adorned mask and an imposing hat reminiscent of African hair. The dance is a vibrant spectacle of colors and rhythms that illustrates the interaction between African tradition and local aesthetics, creating a powerful symbol of cultural identity.

Musicality also serves as a point of convergence between these two traditions. The dance incorporates drum rhythms that, while having an African beat, are constructed with indigenous materials such as capybara and jaguar hides, highlighting the innovation that arises from cultural fusion. Indigenous instruments, like the ganzá, are equally fundamental, reflecting how forest sounds and indigenous percussion are mimicked and adapted to create a unique musicality.

Music and Environmental Education: The Olho d’Água Project

Rômulo is transforming cultural preservation and environmental education through the “Olho d’Água” project. Dedicated to rescuing and valuing indigenous musicality, he uses musical learning as a key tool to teach children about the importance of culture and ecology. By building a studio for recording and preserving traditional sounds, Rômulo ensures that this knowledge is passed on to new generations, keeping ancestral rhythms and songs alive.

In addition to preserving musicality, the project also promotes practical and engaging environmental education. Children are encouraged to explore and understand nature through activities that connect music to ecology. This approach resonates with the spirit of Tom Jobim, who sought inspiration from natural sounds in bossa nova. Perhaps soon, we will see the emergence of a great environmentalist or musician from these new generations, prepared to be both guardians of their cultural heritage and protectors of the environment.

Rômulo’s Vision as a Regeneration Pollinator

Rômulo sees the solution to reversing the depletion of natural resources as a collaborative effort and the valuing of knowledge. He emphasizes the importance of unity and strengthening partnerships through education and guidance, firmly believing that “those who have knowledge have everything.” With initiatives like the Meli Pollinators Program, Rômulo sees an opportunity to restore ecological balance, promoting not only the regeneration of nature but also the creation of sustainable income. In his view, these initiatives will have a significant positive impact in the medium and long term, helping to restore environmental balance and offering sustainable alternatives for local communities.