Indio Mensageiro do Amor

Out today on International Day of Forests: My rendition of «Indio Mensageiro do Amor» (Indio, Messenger of Love), a song from the Huni Kuin tribe of the Brazilian Amazon.

This song carries the voice of an Indigenous messenger, bringing love and ancestral wisdom from the depths of his heart and the forest to the world. I first heard this song two years ago during a ceremony at a friend’s house, and it immediately touched me to the core. I fell in love with it, learned the chant, and played around with it for some time. While performing it, I noticed that my audience—mostly in Europe—connected more deeply when they understood the lyrics. So I created an English translation and eventually found that a blend of the original Portuguese and English worked best. This is the version now available on all platforms.

In late 2023, I decided to record my own version. However, before doing so, I felt a deep responsibility to ensure that this song was shared in a way that honored its origins. As a non-Indigenous artist, I did not want to simply take a sacred song, release it, and monetize it without permission—perpetuating the same colonial patterns of cultural theft that have harmed Indigenous peoples for so long. At first, I wasn’t sure whether it was a traditional chant or if a living composer held the rights. After some research, I identified the composer: Mapu Huni Kui.

After much effort, I was able to reach him by phone about a year ago. By then, I had already recorded my version, which I shared with him. He was very positive and graciously gave his blessings for me to release it. What followed was a long process—communications with changing managers and lawyers—but finally, a few weeks ago, everything was wrapped up.

This rendition blends my voice and Bansuri flute with the incredible talents of Omaris (guitar), Afra Mussawisade (tribal drums), Misha Mullov-Abbado (double bass), G?rill Vimal Gabrielsen (backing vocals), and three choirs from across Europe joining in the chorus chant: the Flow&Friends Choir directed by La Voix d'Avalon (CH), the Cologne Ecstatic Dance Tribe Choir (DE) and the Heart Fire Choir (NL). Thanks to the ± 100 singers whose names are unknown to me!

On my Bandcamp profile, you’ll also find two alternative versions: one in Portuguese only and one in English only.

For ceremony musicians and leaders: I am aware that the original chorus is sung as “Eh Eh Eh,” whereas I sing it as “Eh Ah Eh.” This adjustment resonated well with my audiences, and Mapu gave his blessing to this version. However, in ceremonial settings, you may prefer to keep the original chant if that feels more aligned energetically.

Enjoy, and let the music carry its message of love and wisdom far and wide!