A history of how the Waiwai of Amazonia have been building and now telling their archaeologies¹

This text speaks about important moments for the trajectory of my people, the Waiwai, who, along with various of our relatives, live in the Wayamu Territory. I narrate episodes that have significantly transformed these trajectories, for example contact with missionaries. Along with this, I discuss my discovery of archaeology and how it has allowed me to re-encounter important parts of our history. This re-encounter, or return, has led me reflect and speak on the necessity for an indigenous archaeology and about changing the narrative of the Amazonian past from what it has been.

KEYWORDS:
Waiwai; Indigenous archaeology; The past; Knowledge; Elders