The TEam

A small team of Gilber, his sons, son-in-law and wives established the Yakumamay garden and forest reserve with a few local helpers. Together with Triunfo residents, they were responsible for the demarcated ‘Live Pharmacy’ conservation area, which poachers and illegal loggers constantly threatened despite INRENA’s support. IIAP and UNAP staff provided botanical expertise, two lawyers offered voluntary support for registration procedures, and Gilber obtained an acknowledgement of Yakumamay as a local health resource. In a supporting role, Françoise (locally known as Doctorita Paquita) was actively involved on-site and from Cambridge.

Gilber Chufandama Tapullima (Don Gilber)

A.k.a. “Don” Gilber, was born in Chazuta in the department of San Martin. Gilber settled in Iquitos after finishing military service. During the early 1970s Gilber trained as a public health worker and continues to serve his community in this way. As the son of a famous plant shaman Gilber learnt about medicinal plants from an early age, this knowledge allied with his role as a local leader has been instrumental in the establishment of the Yakumamay project

Francoise Barbira Freedman

While studying for her PhD at the University of Cambridge that Françoise first became interested in Amazonian culture and conservation. She has pursued this interest through her research and teaching career at Cambridge and has always maintained close links with her research partners in Peru. As a co-founder of Yakumamay, Françoise has extended her commitment to support the conservation of traditional knowledge within its original context

Danny

Danny moved to Iquitos from the Upper Huallaga in the early 1990s and became Gilber’s gardening assistant. After working in this capacity for a few years, he became Gilber’s son-in-law.

Professor Stephen Hugh-Jones

Professor Stephen Hugh-Jones (Cambridge University, now emeritus) is best known for his anthropological research in the Upper Rio Negro with the Barasana people. He travelled to Peru with Francoise Barbira Freedman to survey the Yakumamay garden in 2004. The interactive map on this website is based on their survey.

Percy Chufandama Tuhanama

Percy has worked closely with his father Gilber throughout the creation and development of Yakumamay. As a skilled hunter Percy has an excellent understanding of the reserve’s fauna. Percy shared Gilber’s commitment to the sustainable use of forest resources, like his brothers, he had to engage in cash-earning activities to support his family

Anamelva Chufandama Tuhanama

Gilber’s daughter Anamelva was responsible for looking after visitors to Yakumamay, where she lived with her family. All appreciated her pleasant personality and excellent cooking