These Brazilian Indians Just Wish They Would Be Left Alone

Isolated Awá women, who made contact in 2014 © Madalena Borges/CIMI-MA Two uncontacted Indians from the Amazon have completed an extraordinary journey back to their forest home, having been helicoptered to a large city on the brink of death.

Jakarewyj and Amakaria, uncontacted hunter-gatherer nomads from the Awá people, were forced to make contact with settled Awá in 2014, as they were surrounded by loggers and had contracted flu and tuberculosis to which they had no resistance.

The sisters, together with Jakarewyj’s son Irahoa, had been on the run for years, chased from their land and hiding from the loggers whose “screaming” chainsaws terrified them. “We were scared… We were trapped,” Irahoa revealed. The rest of their group had been wiped out.

The Awá’s allies in Brazil, and Survival (the international human rights organization) supporters around the globe, demanded action and Brazil sent a team of medical experts to intervene. Jakarewyj and Amakaria were emergency air-lifted to the state capital where they eventually recovered.

Isolated Awá women, who made contact in 2014 © Madalena Borges/CIMI-MA

Now both women have decided to return to their uncontacted lives in the forest, despite the ongoing threat of loggers. Contacted Awá have said that the sisters did not like food or medicines they were not used to, or the heat of the village, and that they always spoke fondly of their forest.

It is understood that they covered their tracks after going back so they could not be followed.

Rosana Diniz from the Brazilian indigenous rights organization CIMI said: “We must respect their choice to return to their forest as that is what they want. Although it’s dangerous, it’s the place they know and love.”

Uncontacted tribes are the most vulnerable peoples on the planet. Whole populations are being wiped out by genocidal violence from outsiders who steal their land and resources, and by diseases to which they have no resistance. However, where their rights are respected, they continue to thrive.

Many contacted Awá have said that they preferred life before contact. Wamaxua, a recently contacted Awá man said: “When I lived in the forest I had a good life. Now if I meet one of the uncontacted Awá in the forest I’ll say, don’t leave! Stay in the forest… There’s nothing on the outside for you.”

Despite this some outsiders, such as American anthropologists Kim Hill and Robert Walker, continue to advocate “controlled contact” expeditions to forcibly contact tribal peoples and integrate them into the mainstream of society.

However, others have interpreted the women’s decision as a clear indication that many not only prefer life in the forest as it was before contact, but also reject many of the so-called benefits of “progress” and “civilization.”

Survival’s Director Stephen Corry said: “We’re very pleased that Jakarewyj and Amakaria have recovered and been able to make their own decision about how they wish to live. Initiating contact must be uncontacted peoples’ choice alone.

“Those who enter uncontacted tribes’ territories deny them that choice. The sisters’ journey and determination leaves no place for doubt: Uncontacted tribes are fighting ceaselessly to live on their land, and it’s up to governments and all humanity to ensure they can do so.”

Tags:

You May Also Like

Pataxó Indian from the village Nao Xoha, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil - Washington Alves/Reuters

Amazon Indians’ Doctor with Coronavirus Brings Fear of an Extermination

A doctor working with the largest tribe in the Amazon has tested positive for ...

In Response to Sexism and Racism, Over 1000 Black Women Run for Office in Brazil

Motivated in part by President Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about women and the numerous ...

Açaí, Brazil Nuts and Other Amazon Trees Are Only Abundant Thanks to Ancient Indians

Ancient indigenous peoples had a far more profound impact on the composition of the ...

Raoni, a 90-year-old chief of the Kayapo people known for traveling the world to raise awareness of threats to the Amazon, also slashed Bolsonaro's words

Legendary Amazon Chief Raoni Calls Brazil President a Liar for Blaming Indians for Wildfires

Brazil’s Chief Raoni Metuktire, one of the most iconic defenders of the Amazon, condemned ...

A group of Brazilian friends.

Are Brazilians Hispanics? Latinos? It Depends. Most Would Like to Just Be Called Brazilian

Bikini waxes, keratin hair blowouts and all-you-can-eat steakhouses. In the United States, all three ...

Fritz's map of Amazonia, published in 1707 - Samuel Fritz

Tired of Being Denied Territory, Amazon Peoples Are Drawing Their Own Maps

In 1707, a Jesuit missionary from the Czech Republic named Samuel Fritz published one ...

The Finest Art

Paulo Rama is presented a double challenge. Not only does he belong to a ...

Taina Rosa (left) and Lauana Nara, candidates in this week's municipal elections, want more Black women in office. | Credit: Dokttor Bhu Bhu and Allan Calisto

It’s Been a Hard Fight, But Black Women Are Gaining Space in Brazilian Politics

“When she was murdered, the Black women’s movement dealt with this collective trauma by ...

Indigenous Leader Sonia Guajajara of the Guajajara tribe. Reuters

Anti-vaxxers Kill Brazil Indian Leader After She Gets Covid Vaccine. It Was Fake News

Hours after Sonia Guajajara became one of Brazil’s first indigenous women to get a ...