![]() ![]() The establishment of this reserve would link up the Alto Turiaçu and Caru Reserves, thus creating a contiguous land area less prone to invasion by local settlers. Since 1982 there has been an attempt to establish a new land area for the Guajá, known as the Awá Indian Reserve. The Guajá that are in permanent contact live on the Alto Turiaçu (530,520 hectares) and Caru (172,667 hectares) Indian Reserves both of these areas have been officially demarcated and registered. It is likely that by 1950 all of the Guajá were already residing east of the Gurupi river, which separates Pará from Maranhão state (Gomes 1989 & 1991). With the advent of the Cabanagem upheaval, around 1835-1840, they steadily moved in an easterly direction, towards the state of Maranhão. ![]() As European colonial settlement expanded, exerting pressure on local indigenous populations, these groups were forced to disperse. They probably formed part of a larger group composed of other Tupi-Guarani peoples, such as the Ka'apor, Tembé, and Guajajara (Tenetehar) (Gomes 1988, 1989 & 1991 Balée 1994). Their origins are obscure yet it is believed that they came from lower Tocantins river basin of Pará state. The Guajá call themselves Awá, a term which means "man", "person", or "people". How to listen to: From Our Own CorrespondentīBC Radio 4: Saturdays, 1130.The Awá Indians of Amazonian Brazil: the most endangered tribe on earth Vanity Fair Magazine You look very small in frame." He and David collapsed with laughter. "Don't worry," said Steve with a smirk, "it is a very wide shot. "You won't use that in the film will you?" I asked plaintively from the water. Steve had, as if by magic, materialised, and David was pointing the still camera he carried with him at me. What is more, string is the Awa's traditional hunting wear.Īs the man, erm, "dressed" me, I looked over to the river bank. They had invited us into their village and let us film, I reasoned, and they clearly thought the young man's antics were hilarious. I tried - rather ineffectually - to push him away, but he was insistent. ![]() I had a choice: fight him off or surrender to the joke. The other hunters were doubled up with glee. He dived into the water beside me, string in hand. Then I noticed one of the young hunters on the bank brandishing a piece of string. The Awa seemed delighted that at last I was surrendering to the spirit of the hunt. The Awa seemed delighted that at last I was surrendering to the spirit of the hunt It was clear that he thought I should too. Clearly, they thought I should dress more appropriately. One motioned towards my groin and gestured as if he were tying a knot. They looked at me in my sweaty shirt and jeans and laughed. The Awa hunters were completely naked except for a piece of string decorated with bright bird feathers tied to the end of their penises. But walking into the village it became abundantly clear that when it comes to hunting, some traditions remain strong. Indeed, they only live in a village because game is now so scarce.ĭuring the first day we had spent with them, the Awa had worn ragged T-shirts and shorts or skirts. The Awa are nomadic hunter-gatherers and we wanted to film a hunt to illustrate how, as the loggers and farmers encroach on their land, it is increasingly difficult for them to live their traditional lifestyle. The hunters told me how the loggers were driving the animals out of the forest and explained that they targeted the same trees that the community relies on for fruits and berries ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |