It is the most important to keep our culture, history and natural property we have received from our ancestors. Because those represent each nation's identity and the treasure that we have to hand over to next generation. In light of this, to protect the tribes in Amazon is a crucial issue that we have to be aware of.

The Matsés peoples, the tribes in Brazil and Peru, have provided a 500-page encyclopedia of their traditional medicine, which include the details of all plants used by Matsés medicine in order to cure various diseases. This book was completed by 5 shamans with conservation group, Acaté written in their own language and words.

The encyclopedia is printed in only Matsés's native languages to avoid being stolen by any other people concerned. Instead, it is used to train young shamans and record the elder's knowledge. In addition to that, Acaté also has launched the programs to connecting Matsés shamans with young students to preserve their knowledge.

Matsés live in Amazon where it is well known for biodiversity and have an accumulated wealth of knowledge to heal plants and animals. However, their cultures, traditions and knowledge have disappeared rapidly.

However, after starting project, the young shamans are motivated to learn from the elder shamans. Acaté and the Matsés leadership made a decision to process the encyclopedia faster before the masters dying for future generation of Matsés.

Medicine and rainforest conservation are inextricably linked. When their forest are protected and their culture are strengthen, people can keep healthy from various diseases. All in all, the encyclopedia, which has completed over 500 pages , will be helpful to preserve the Matsés cultures because it was idea from home, rainforest, which give them long history of wisdom.

Source : Mongabay