Indigenous entrepreneurship in the Amazon
Faced with a lack of economic opportunities for indigenous women in Jericoá 2, Pará, Sidjä Wahiü was created. Founded by Katyana Xipaya, the project combines traditional knowledge with the sustainable production of chocolates and dehydrated fruits, promoting income, culture, and empowerment.
Indigenous women generating income and valuing culture.
Methodology
The project received support from the Belo Monte Empreende program, which offers training and mentoring for young entrepreneurs in the region. The production and marketing of the chocolate are carried out in partnership with the Transamazonian cocoa producers' cooperative and the Cacau Way factory, located in Medicilândia (PA), the first chocolate factory in the region. Cacau Way uses the "tree to bar" model, processing the cocoa directly from the beans to the chocolate bar, ensuring quality control and valuing local producers.
The "tree to bar" model ensures quality and value for producers.
Results
Sidjä Wahiü started with dehydrated fruits, and as a result, expanded into chocolate production, exceeding expectations and gaining prominence as an example of innovation and sustainability. It values indigenous culture and the knowledge of the Amazon, bringing the strength of the forest to new markets. For Katyana, a woman, indigenous, and farmer, supporting her community transformed her vision and shows that indigenous peoples want to undertake projects with autonomy and pride.
Valuing indigenous culture and Amazonian knowledge.
An indigenous woman from the Xingu region, a chocolate producer, will be one of the guests at a festival in Salvador.