Kamayurá people
Encyclopedia
The Kamayurá are an indigenous
tribe in the Amazonian Basin
of Brazil
. The name is also spelled Kamayura, and Kamaiurá in Portuguese
; it means "a raised platform to keep meat, pots and pans." The Kamayurá language
belongs to the Tupi–Guarani family
The Kamayurá live in the Upper Xingu
region along with Kiabi, Yudja and Suya tribes. The ways of life of these four tribes are quite similar despite having different languages. Their villages are situated around Lake Ipavu, which is six kilometres from the Kuluene River. Much like other small indigenous cultures around the globe, the Kamayurá are struggling to adapt to the effects of deforestation and climate change.
epidemic
. The total population was 264 when adventurer Karl von den Steinen
originally visited the area.
The house is generally dark and is where the women and children dwell. The rainforest surround the entire village and private gardens can also be found.
After marriage the husband moves and lives in the wife’s parents’ house. Strong alliances can be established through marriages.
The genders are separated shortly after puberty. The boys are taught how to hunt for food with an arrow, do hard labour, and create a basket. Wrestling is done daily which strengthens their muscles. They are also trained in combat and taught leadership skills so they are able to look after their own families later on. This segregation lasts for up to five years before returning.
The teenage girls during seclusion must learn how to weave mats, and perform many basic everyday household duties. After a few years they become ready for marriage, they are given a new name and their ears are pierced. The girls also learn how to dance and look after the family.
It is an old tradition, that – when a new born child is handicapped or his father does not accept it – this child will be buried alive. There is a cemetery with more than 100 killed babies in the jungle, which is a holy spot for the Kamayurá.
(made with high quality materials), snail-shell belts and ceramic pots are traded with other tribes. Fish nets, canoe
s, flute
s and hammock
s are made as specialised goods.
, beiju, porridge
, pepper
and bananas. Fish is the main source of protein. Birds (most of the "fur animals" are considered taboo) are hunted in the rainforest while wild berries are gathered as the main food supplement. Eagles can be a supplement for fish. Honey
is also collected. Manioc is harvested and processed in beiju and a sweet soup called mohete.
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
tribe in the Amazonian Basin
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. The name is also spelled Kamayura, and Kamaiurá in Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
; it means "a raised platform to keep meat, pots and pans." The Kamayurá language
Kamayurá language
The Kamayurá language belongs to the Tupi–Guarani family , and is spoken by the Kamayurá people of Brazil – who numbered about 290 individuals as of the year 2004.-Vowels:-Consonants:...
belongs to the Tupi–Guarani family
The Kamayurá live in the Upper Xingu
Xingu River
The Xingu River , also called Rio Xingu, is a 1,230-mile long, river in north Brazil; it is a southeast tributary of the Amazon River.-Description and history:...
region along with Kiabi, Yudja and Suya tribes. The ways of life of these four tribes are quite similar despite having different languages. Their villages are situated around Lake Ipavu, which is six kilometres from the Kuluene River. Much like other small indigenous cultures around the globe, the Kamayurá are struggling to adapt to the effects of deforestation and climate change.
Population
In 2002 there were an estimated 355 people. Now there are about 544 (2010). Their numbers had made a good recovery from an all-time low of 94 people recorded in 1954, the previous reduction in numbers due to the measlesMeasles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
. The total population was 264 when adventurer Karl von den Steinen
Karl von den Steinen
Karl von den Steinen was a German physician , ethnologist, explorer, and author of important anthropological work, which is particularly to the study of Indian cultures of Central Brazil, and the art of the Marquesas...
originally visited the area.
Description of villages
The Kamayurá village comprises a round roof that is decorated with sape grass (Imperata brasiliensis) and the ‘house of the flutes’ contain important flute (jakui) instruments that can only be played by the men. In front of that house there is a meeting area where the men discuss fishing trips or plan festivals and so on.The house is generally dark and is where the women and children dwell. The rainforest surround the entire village and private gardens can also be found.
History
The region was declared a national park by the Brazilian authorities in 1961, intended to prevent further intrusions and spread of deadly epidemics to locals.Social organisation
The Kamayurá society comprises several villages, a group of bráothers being the owner of each household. They decide what tasks and productive activities should be conducted each day by its members.After marriage the husband moves and lives in the wife’s parents’ house. Strong alliances can be established through marriages.
The genders are separated shortly after puberty. The boys are taught how to hunt for food with an arrow, do hard labour, and create a basket. Wrestling is done daily which strengthens their muscles. They are also trained in combat and taught leadership skills so they are able to look after their own families later on. This segregation lasts for up to five years before returning.
The teenage girls during seclusion must learn how to weave mats, and perform many basic everyday household duties. After a few years they become ready for marriage, they are given a new name and their ears are pierced. The girls also learn how to dance and look after the family.
It is an old tradition, that – when a new born child is handicapped or his father does not accept it – this child will be buried alive. There is a cemetery with more than 100 killed babies in the jungle, which is a holy spot for the Kamayurá.
Trade
Bows and arrowsBow (weapon)
The bow and arrow is a projectile weapon system that predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.-Description:A bow is a flexible arc that shoots aerodynamic projectiles by means of elastic energy. Essentially, the bow is a form of spring powered by a string or cord...
(made with high quality materials), snail-shell belts and ceramic pots are traded with other tribes. Fish nets, canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
s, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
s and hammock
Hammock
A hammock is a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two points, used for swinging, sleeping, or resting. It normally consists of one or more cloth panels, or a woven network of twine or thin rope stretched with ropes between two firm anchor points such as trees or posts....
s are made as specialised goods.
Diet
The traditional Kamayura diet generally consists of fishFish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, beiju, porridge
Porridge
Porridge is a dish made by boiling oats or other cereal meals in water, milk, or both. It is usually served hot in a bowl or dish...
, pepper
Capsicum
Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are native to the Americas where they have been cultivated for thousands of years, but they are now also cultivated worldwide, used as spices, vegetables, and medicines - and have become are a key element in...
and bananas. Fish is the main source of protein. Birds (most of the "fur animals" are considered taboo) are hunted in the rainforest while wild berries are gathered as the main food supplement. Eagles can be a supplement for fish. Honey
Honey
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
is also collected. Manioc is harvested and processed in beiju and a sweet soup called mohete.