Kamayurá

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The Kamayurá (also Camaiura or Kamayirá ) are an indigenous Indian tribe who live in the central Brazilian region of Alto Xingu in the Brazilian part of the Amazon basin . The name Kamayurá means something like platform on which meat, dishes and pans are kept . The Kamayurá language is one of the Tupí-Guaraní languages .

The Kamayurá live on the Xingú River with the Kaiabi , Yudja and Suya tribes . The history of the four tribes is quite similar even if they speak different languages. Their villages are located around Lake Ipavu , which is about six kilometers from the Kuluene River.

population

In 2002 the Kamayurá tribe was estimated to be around 355 people. Their number has recovered well after the absolute low of 94 people in 1954, which can be traced back to a measles epidemic following contact with whites. Their population at the time of their discovery by Karl von den Steinen was 264.

Description of the villages

The Kamayurá houses are mostly dark and have a round roof that is planted with grass. This is where the women and children stay.

The house of flutes serves as a meeting place for men . This is where the men meet to play the flute, plan celebrations and discuss other current issues. Playing the flute is reserved for men. The Kamayurá also plant food gardens around the village.

history

The Kamayurá have lived in the south of Lake Ipavu since around 1900. The elders say their ancestors came from far north. They emigrated because they had conflicts with the tribes of the Suya (Kisedje) and Yudja (Juruna). The Indians of the Alto Xingu had their first encounters with Europeans since the German research expeditions led by Karl von den Steinen in 1883 and 1888. In 1946 the Kamyurá came into contact with European explorers such as the Villas Boas brothers .

The region was declared a reserve , Parque Indígena do Xingu , in 1961 in order to avoid disturbances from non-Kamayurá (apart from scientists and administrators) and missionaries as well as epidemics .

Social organization

The Kamayurá society consists of several villages and a group of brothers owns each household. You decide what tasks each member of the community should do each day.

After the marriage, the husband moves into the house of his in-laws. Strong alliances can be formed through marriages.

The sexes are separated shortly after puberty . The boys learn to hunt with bows and arrows, do hard work and weave baskets. They also wrestle against each other daily to strengthen the muscles. The extensive training also includes military combat and the promotion of leadership personalities. Only after five years of training do the boys return to their families.

The girls learn to weave mats and do the household chores. After a few years, they are ready to get married. They are given a new name and their ears are pierced. They also learn to dance and take care of the family.

The health system of the Kamayurá consists of the herbalist healer ( mo'ã-yat ), the religious-healing medicine men ( paye called shamans ) and the modern "western" medicine.

trade

Mainly bows and arrows, belts made from snail shells and ceramics are traded with other indigenous peoples . Fishing nets, canoes , flutes and hammocks are higher quality products that are also traded.

Food habits

The main sources of food for the Kamayurá are beiju (a kind of porridge made from the tuber manioc ), fish and bananas . The preferred spice is chili . They collect wild berries and also honey. In addition to fish, they also like to eat eagles and rarely a monkey. In contrast to the neighboring peoples, the hunt for the mammals of the rainforest is avoided, as they are assigned their own soul.

literature

  • Mark Münzel : The medicine man among the Kamayura in central Brazil. In: Würzburg medical history reports. Volume 3, 1985, pp. 11-27.

Web links

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Karl von den Steinen : Through Central Brazil: Expedition to explore the Schingú in 1884. Leipzig 1886.
  2. ^ Karl von den Steinen: Among the primitive peoples of Central Brazil. Travel description and results of the Second Schingú Expedition 1887–1888. Berlin 1894.
  3. Mark Münzel: The medicine man with the Kamayura in central Brazil. 1985, p. 11 f.