Letter from the Manoki People to the Family of André Tupxi

Letter from the Manoki People to the Family of André Tupxi

To the family of André Luiz Lopes Neves—our dear Tupxi,

It is with deeply saddened hearts, yet also with profound gratitude, that the Manoki people address André’s family at this time of farewell.

André Luiz Lopes Neves arrived in the Manoki territory in 2008. He arrived with fair skin, wearing sunscreen and insect repellent—details that initially stirred a certain mistrust among us. Many thought he wouldn't stay with us for even a month. We were mistaken.

André remained with us for eight years, living right here in the village, sharing in our people's daily lives, building friendships, learning from our elders, and—above all—earning our trust and respect.

Along this journey, André achieved something of profound significance to us: he received the traditional Manoki naming ceremony. This is a vital ritual, not performed for just anyone. By undergoing this experience, André ceased to be merely an outsider who had come to work with us; he became part of our family and was given the name Tupxi.

As a Manoki son, Tupxi also needed a father and mother within our community. This was not because his biological parents were absent, but because they were physically distant from their son, who had chosen to dedicate part of his life to Indigenous peoples. Thus, following his naming ceremony, he was welcomed by a Manoki family that embraced and supported him as a son.

Tupxi received teachings from our elders. He listened to guidance on life’s paths and on respecting the forest, the rivers, the land, the animals, and the spirits that protect us. He learned that Manoki spirituality is not separate from life itself; it is present in everything we are and everything we do.

Through his work as an anthropologist—and, above all, through his time living among us—Tupxi gained a deep understanding of aspects of our beliefs and spirituality.

He learned that, for us, when a Manoki person dies, they do not simply cease to exist. They make a journey to the Village of Souls, where our ancestors dwell. It is a place free from sickness, pain, strife, or discord. There, life continues in a different form—in peace and for all eternity.

In our tradition, we maintain a connection and a commitment to those who have departed. We make offerings, bring food and drink, and converse with our spirits. Those who have undergone the rituals and remain on this earth also bear the responsibility of spiritually caring for and nourishing those in the Village of Souls.

Tupxi understood this commitment. During his journey alongside the Manoki people, he took part in these practices and made offerings, honoring the bond he had built with our people, our ancestors, and our spirituality.

This morning, we too made an offering to our guardian spirits. We spoke to our ancestors and shared the news that our son André—our Tupxi—is arriving at a new home.

We ask our spirits to welcome him and for him to continue—from the Village of Souls—protecting and guiding us, granting us the wisdom and strength to carry on our journey and our struggle as the Manoki People.

Tupxi is a son of the earth.
He is a son of the forest.
He is a son of the rivers.
He is a son of the mountains.
He is a son of our spirituality.

He was present during pivotal moments in our history and our struggle. He stood by our side during cultural gatherings, accompanied our communities, listened to our elders, documented our stories, and helped reveal the richness of the Manoki People to the world.

His camera was present throughout much of our journey. Through it, Tupxi captured faces, celebrations, rituals, struggles, joys, knowledge, and stories that will endure for future generations.

Today, however, his camera falls silent.

Yet, we believe he does not vanish.

Today, Tupxi is seen from a different vantage point—not because he is less important, but because he has taken on a new responsibility: watching over his people from the Village of Souls.

Perhaps he is no longer behind the camera, documenting our journey. Perhaps he is now walking ahead of our ancestors, looking out for us, guiding our steps, and helping us find the paths we have yet to travel.

To André’s family, we offer our embrace, our affection, and our comfort.

We know that no words can ease the pain of losing a son, a brother, or such a cherished family member. But we want you to know that André was not alone. He built a second family among us. He was loved, respected, and embraced as a son of the Manoki people.

He came to get to know us, but we came to know him, too.

He came to study our people, but he also learned from us.

He arrived as a researcher, but he left as a son.

And that is how we wish to remember Tupxi: as our son, our brother, our friend, and a part of our history.

If it is the family's wish...

We also wish to share a special message with André’s family.

If this is your wish—if at any point you feel this is the path André would have wanted to follow—the Manoki People will be ready to welcome him back to our land.

If the family wishes for his ashes to be sown in the Manoki Territory—the territory for which he fought, walked, dedicated his work, and gave a part of his life—we will welcome him with open arms.

The Manoki land, which so often felt his footsteps, can also receive his ashes.

Not as someone returning from the outside, but as a son coming home.

If this is the family’s will, his godchildren, his Manoki relatives, and all our people will be here to welcome him with respect, affection, and spirituality. We will plant him in our land, for we believe that those we love remain part of who we are.

And where his body transforms back into earth, his memory will live on.

He will be able to return to the forest he knew, the rivers he traversed, the paths he so often walked, and the land he helped the Manoki People fight for.

Like a seed cast upon the ground, Tupxi will be able to remain among us in a different way: becoming part of the land, the forest, and the life he so deeply respected.

If the family makes this decision, know that the Manoki Territory will also be your home.

For André arrived as an outsider, but Tupxi was welcomed as a son.

And a son, when he leaves, always has a place to return to.

We thank the family for allowing us to share so many years of his life with André. We give thanks for the son who was entrusted to us and who walked alongside us for so many years.

Today we bid farewell to his physical presence, but not to his existence.

For, to us, Tupxi has simply made his transition.

He now has a new dwelling place.

And we will continue to cherish his memory, speaking to him through our spirituality and asking that he—alongside our ancestors—continue to watch over the Manoki People.

Tupxi, our son, we are grateful for everything we experienced together.

You arrived as a stranger.

You stayed as a friend.

You were baptized as Manoki.

You were welcomed as a son.

And you departed taking a part of our people with you, while leaving a part of your story with us.

May the Village of Souls receive you in peace.

May our ancestors welcome you.

May your journey continue alongside the spirits that protect our people.

And may your memory remain alive in the land, the forest, the rivers, the stories, the photographs, and—above all—in the heart of every Manoki who had the opportunity to walk by your side.

The Manoki People give thanks for the son who was given to us to walk with us this far.

Until we meet again, Tupxi.

Your journey continues.

And, should it ever be your family's wish, our land will be ready to welcome you back.

For this, too, is your home.

Manoki People