Sarau

Azira’i

Zahy Tentehar

AZIRA’I was the first female shaman (pajé) from the indigenous village of Cana Brava, in northeastern Brazil. More than an autobiographical solo piece, AZIRA’I is an encounter between past and present, between tradition and rupture. Through affection, conflict, and memories, mother and daughter remain closely connected in this story, spoken and sung in Portuguese and Ze’eng Eté, the native language of actress Zahy Tentehar. Zahy, who performs on stage, was the first Indigenous artist to win Brazil’s most prestigious theater award (the Shell Prize) in the Best Actress category. The show also received the award for Best Lighting Design. The performance is subtitled in English and French.

This work is part of the Brazil Platform program, as part of the Brazil-France 2025 Season, organized by MITsp – São Paulo International Theater Festival. This initiative is presented by the Brazilian Federal Government and sponsored by Petrobrás, with production by the Olhares Cultural Institute and the SÚ Association for Culture and Education.

Zahy Tentehar brings her shaman mother's legacy to life in AZIRA'I, sung in Ze'eng eté and Portuguese.

Company presentation

Zahy Tentehar is an Indigenous artist and activist from the Tentehar Guajajara people. Born in Aldeia Colônia, an indigenous reserve in Cana Brava, northeast Brazil. The daughter of the shaman Azira’i, she is an actress, visual artist, singer, and performer.
Zahy has distinguished herself in numerous audiovisual projects, including film and television series. She has already directed a film entitled "Zahy – A Fable About Aldeia Maracanã." She is the creator, screenwriter, and actress of the video performance "Aiku’è" (R-existo), selected at the Kannibal Fest in Berlin.

www.sarauculturabrasileira.com.br/azirai

Zahy TENTEHAR - Dramaturgy

Zahy Tentehar is an indigenous artist and activist from the Tentehar Guajajara people. Born in Aldeia Colônia, an indigenous reserve in Cana Brava, northeast Brazil. Daughter of shaman Azira’i and mother of Kwarahy, she is an actress, visual artist, singer, and performer.

Duda RIOS - Dramaturgy / Direction

Originally from Recife, Eduardo Rios is passionate about theater and music. He loves acting, writing, directing, and playing the accordion. A graduate in journalism from UFPE, he completed a training in performance and theater creation at LISPA (London International School of Performing Arts) in 2012. He is one of the founders of Barca dos Corações Partidos, one of Brazil's most prestigious and award-winning companies.

Denise STUTZ - Direction

Denise Stutz is a Brazilian dancer, choreographer, and director, a major figure in the contemporary scene. A founding member of Grupo Corpo in 1975, she collaborated with numerous renowned artists before joining Cia. de Danças de Lia Rodrigues, where she worked as a performer, teacher, and assistant director. Since 2003, she has developed a critically acclaimed personal work focused on body memory, notably with her solo *DeCor*. She has presented her creations in Brazil, Europe, and Africa, and regularly works as a choreographer for theater and television.

Cast

Cast Zahy Tentehar
Conception and dramaturgy Zahy Tentehar & Duda Rios
Director Denise Stutz & Duda Rios
Art direction and graphics Batman Zavareze
Production Direction and Artistic Production Andréa Alves & Leila Maria Moreno
Costumes Carol Lobato
Set design Mariana Villas-Bôas
Lights Ana Luzia Molinari by Simoni
Musical direction and soundtrack Elisio Freitas
Sound designer Gabriel D’angelo
Video Eduardo Chamon
Consulting Pedro Kaxaz Guajajara

Production

Production Sarau Cultura Brasileira
This work is part of the Brazil Platform program, as part of the Brazil-France 2025 Season, organized by the MITsp – São Paulo International Theater Festival.
This initiative is presented by the Brazilian federal government and sponsored by Petrobrás,
a production supported by the Olhares Cultural Institute and the SÚ Association for Culture and Education.

In the press

Azira’i is a moving autobiographical solo album, in which Zahy Tentehar explores his relationship with his mother, the first female shaman of the Cana Brava reserve.

Itau Cultural

The show was praised for its sensitivity and emotional power, winning the Shell Award for Best Actress and Best Lighting

Cenario Cultural

Zahy Tentehar says, “I don’t want to be reduced to an Indigenous actress. I am an artist with a voice of my own, carrying the legacy of my mother and my people.”

Chicago Reader