7 Days female only Retreat | May 30th – June 6th 2026
Fulni-Ô Ancestral Healing Immersion Week in Central Portugal
Experience the wisdom of an ancient lineage in the heart of nature
At the serene forest retreat Quinta da Libélula, this 7-day immersion offers a rare opportunity to connect with the living wisdom of the Fulni-Ô women of Northeast Brazil.
Guided by Nudhya (Salma) and the Fulni-Ô Ancestral Voices, this experience invites you into a deeply embodied journey of ancestral songs, rituals, storytelling, and shared practices rooted in Indigenous traditions.
Here, healing unfolds through presence, connection, and remembrance — a weaving of voices, culture, and spirit in an intimate women-only space.
Our Host
Nudhya (Salma) is a Fulni-Ô indigenous woman (Águas Belas-PE), practitioner of ancestral and sacred medicine, doula, artisan, entrepreneur, and activist for indigenous women.
Straight from the Indigenous Lands of Northeast Brazil to Portugal, the ancestral medicine of the Fulni-Ô is recognized for its unique expression through song and plant wisdom. Celebrated for their strength and healing abilities, the Fulni-Ô maintain a deep connection with Mother Earth rooted in their own blood, as body-territories that they are.
Nudhya learned traditional songs in her community’s rituals, guided by the women of her family. Starting in 2016, she began traveling with her crafts and culture, strengthening networks with women from different contexts.
In 2018, she founded the Eskya collective in her village, whose name means “weaving” and clearly reflects the purpose of this movement: to co-create a new reality alongside other women in her village, sharing the ancestral traditions of her people through a female perspective. This collective currently has 20 women and is focused on the exchange of knowledge and cultural immersion.
Experience the Living Traditions of the Fulni-ô
1. Traditional Ceremonies
The traditional ceremony is an ancestral spiritual practice that promotes healing, connection with ancestors, and self-knowledge. The ritual is accompanied by sacred chants in the Yaathê language, the use of instruments such as the maraca, and traditional body painting.
2. Herbal Bath
An ancestral practice of cleansing and spiritual protection that uses native plants from the Caatinga region to purify the body and spirit. It offers revitalization and deep energetic renewal.
3. Straw Workshop
The Fulni-ô straw workshop focuses on the handling and weaving of Ouricuri (Licuri) straw, a native palm tree of the Caatinga that is sacred and central to survival. In this workshop you will learn how to make mats, baskets, and bags.
4. Yaathê Ancestral Singing Workshop
Rhythmic songs inspired by nature and animals, sung entirely in Yaathê, the Fulni-ô mother tongue.
5. Traditional Songs and Dances
The Cafurnas are the ultimate expression of Fulni-ô music. They are songs sung exclusively in Yaathê, with themes ranging from connection with nature and animals of the Caatinga to the resilience of the people. The Toré is a ritualistic dance shared by many peoples of the Northeast, performed by the Fulni-ô with unique strength and presence.
6. Fulni-ô Storytelling Around the Fire
Nudhya keeps the history of her people alive through narratives centered around the fire, sharing their struggles, rituals, and relationship with nature and spiritual beings.
7. Body Painting
Fulni-ô body painting, called Nal’xi in the Yaathê language, is a form of visual and non-verbal communication that goes beyond adornment, expressing cultural identity, spiritual protection, and connection with the sacred.
8. Ancestral Baptism of Names in the Fulni-ô Yaathê Language
9. Concert
Nudhya presents songs from the group Vozes Ancestrais, a collective of Fulni-ô women whose mission is to preserve, celebrate, and share traditional songs and collective memory through the power of female voices.
10. Sacred Feminine Conversations
These dialogues take place in sharing spaces—such as women’s circles—aiming to reconnect with female ancestry and the knowledge of traditional healing practices, strengthening memory, identity, and the wisdom of the women.
Nudhya’s individual therapies
Energy Healing
Rituals with chants, movement, and traditional practices that seek to restore energetic balance, release negative patterns, and promote overall well-being
Energetic Massage
A full-body massage accompanied by Yaathê chants, designed to harmonize the spirit and align the energy.
You can book sessions in advance or when you are at the Retreat. Nudhja charges €70 for a 45-minute session.
Location & Accommodation
This retreat is a full-time residential immersion. The 7-day Fulni-Ô Ancestral Healing Retreat unfolds at the Quinta da Libélula Retreat Centre — an eco-friendly sanctuary nestled in the deep, hilly mountains of Cepos in Central Portugal.
Cepos, a picturesque village in the heart of Portugal, offers breathtaking mountain scenery, untouched nature, and a strong sense of cultural preservation. As a destination, it presents a perfect blend of natural beauty, traditional culture, serenity, and authentic cuisine — an ideal setting to slow down, reconnect, and restore.
The property is set within 7 hectares of tranquil land, offering guests a secluded and peaceful haven immersed in nature.
The retreat center features six accommodation domes, Tipis and our Temple, harmoniously inspired by natural forms and the elements. These spaces provide a nurturing and grounded environment, supporting deep rest, connection, and inner exploration throughout the week.
Meals
You will get home-cooked vegetarian/vegan meals during your stay at the Quinta da Libélula Retreat Centre.
We ensure that your daily nutritional requirements are met through a wholesome dietary plan.
Registration & Fees
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Private Dome : €1590
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Double Sharing Dome: €1250
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6-Bed Sharing Dome: €1150
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Tipi 9- shared: €890
Early Bird Policy and Discounts
We offer the following early bird discounts if you were to register before the 30th April 2026.
Discounted Price:
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Private Dome : €1490
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Double Sharing Dome: €1150
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6-Bed Sharing Dome: €1050
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Tipi 9- shared: €790
*If you book with someone close to you, we will ensure that you stay in a Dome or Tipi together.*
MORE MOMENTS
A Little Window of Inspiration
FAQ
Good Questions!
and answers
How do I get there?
We’ll gladly arrange pickup and drop-off from Moita da Serra bus station.
The nearest city is Coimbra, well connected to both Porto and Lisbon. You can catch a train or bus to Coimbra, then transfer at the Rodoviario bus station. Tickets are available at rede-expressos.pt or the other sites listed below.
There are also direct buses to Moita da Serra several times daily:
- From Porto: directly from the airport and TIC Campanhã.
- From Lisbon: departing from Rodoviario de Sete Rios and Lisbon Oriente.
Tickets can be booked via busbud.com or omio.com.
Please share your travel details with us—we’ll gladly help make your journey smooth!
(Note: Our timezone is GMT, which is UTC+1—slightly different from much of Europe.)
What kind of food will be served?
We love nourishing our guests with wholesome, predominantly vegetarian meals. If you have dietary preferences, food intolerances, or special requests, just let us know ahead of time—we’ll be happy to accommodate!
Where will I stay?
Your accommodation depends on your booking choice. Options include:
- Teepee Tents
- 4-Person Dome
- 2-Person Dome
- 1-Person Dome
Our domes are equipped with AC and private toilets, while our tents are spacious and comfortable with access to outdoor toilets and showers.
On sunny days, tents can warm up, but don’t worry—there are shaded spots, cozy hammocks, and plenty of seating around the camp. And when you need to cool off, our natural stone pool is perfect for a refreshing dip!
What’s the weather like?
Summer in our valley is typically hot and dry with daytime highs around 30°C. Nights can be much cooler, sometimes dipping to 10°C. We recommend bringing a warm sweater for evenings and cloudy days, so you’ll stay cozy around the fire.
Is there internet?
We encourage you to embrace this time to disconnect and unwind. That said, if you need to get online, we provide a stable hotspot at the lower part of camp. The Wi-Fi password is: gold36flight.
What should I pack?
Here are a few essentials to make your stay more comfortable:
- A head torch or mobile light
- Warm clothes for evenings by the fireplace
- Thermal underwear for cooler nights
A refillable water bottle
How do I pay?
To secure your spot, we ask for a 10% deposit of the retreat price. The remaining balance should be paid before arrival.
We accept payments via:
- PayPal
- Wise
- Revolut
- Bitcoin wallet
- Direct bank transfer