Zoila Ochoa Garay

Zoila Ochoa Garay is a MURUI BUE leader, born in the Centro Arenal Indigenous Community in Loreto, Peru. Faced with the risk of her people losing their language and identity, she founded the MURUI BUE Autonomous School, where children learn to speak the language, as well as traditional dances, songs, and cooking. She was honored as a Distinguished Cultural Figure of 2023 for her outstanding work in preserving, strengthening, and promoting the culture of the MURUI Indigenous People, particularly for developing the shicras weaving technique, which is unique to her community.