Native Tribes Living Near and Around Manaus City: Part I – Parque dos Indios Tribe

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The arrival of Covid-19 into the remote parts of Northern Brazil last spring is proof that the modern world and its numerous afflictions is applying further pressure on an already weak socioeconomic system built around the great northern capital of Manaus. Massive corruption and a weak government presence has created an unbalanced and unfair economic system, where powerful land owners and businessmen control the region’s economic life.

Native tribes living in and around Manaus have been especially hard hit by the arrival of the new Covid, which has killed thousands in the region alone, forcing local authorities to not allow anyone from the outside world to have any contact with tribes living in the jungle around Manaus. This policy, though partially successful, was not able to protect the already weakened native socioeconomic system, which relied extensively on selling goods to local markets as well as to visiting tourists.

Local tribes, like the Tuiuka, the Kokama or the Apurina, to name a few, are all tribes that had been directly affected by Covid-19, its economic implications and the ongoing destruction of their environment, whether culture or physical. Each of these three tribes are sharing a common fate, yet each are at a different stage of decomposition, as modernity is infiltrating the great northern primeval forest further each year.

The Tuiuka have kept their traditions and culture alive by hunting and living the way their ancestors have lived for hundreds of years. The Apurina, in contrast, have let go some traditions by wearing modern clothing, and adopting farming to provide for their families, while some members do use the rivers to go to the nearest city to trade. And finally, the Kokama, who live on the outskirts of the Manaus near the airport in a poor neighborhood, where they have mostly adopted the modern way of life while dealing with its numerous dark sides such as the endemic drug trafficking in the region.

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These different stages of cultural loss is by no means exceptional, as the survival of the Native Indian culture through out the land is now at a crossroads, and it is only with conservation that these unique culture will remain and thrive once more.

Parque dos Indios Tribe

Between traditions and modernity, the various tribes living inside the poor community of Parque das Indios, near the airport of Manaus, struggle to keep their traditions alive while dealing with rising crime and drugs in the Manaus region. For 6 years now, families from various tribes have opted to leave behind the jungle for a more urban lifestyle. Buzzing with numerous housing constructions Parque das Indios is seeing hundreds of families restart their lives. Built with bricks and cement blocks, yet simple, the urbanization of the area was barely stopped as Covid-19 made its way through Amazonia killing thousands of locals. The Kakomas, who represent the largest portion of the various Indian group populating the area, are led by an elected group leader whose role is to keep a good relationship between his peers and the various local government elected officials, who usually seek their support only during election season.

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This delicate relationship between these Indian groups and local Brazilian government has often led to mistrust, as local officials have promised much and delivered very little. On the other hand, the various Indian leaders in Prague das Indios cannot outright dismiss these officials, as they would surely seek to impede the progress made by their communities so far.

This thin line between corruption and local dealings has led to further issues, as these tribes try to keep their traditions alive while protecting their youth from urban corruption and all the crimes that derive from it. Indeed, local drug dealers have been trying to recruit local kids by promising them lots of money, women, cars and even fame within the drug world. This constant threat, also, has to be dealt with on a regular basis. To this, various local Indian leaders have had to protect their communities with weapons, and even seriously injuring drug dealers as they tried to take control of portion of Parque das Indios to create new drug sale points. For now, and through the use of rice, local drug dealers have stopped trying to infiltrate these area. But for how long…

Covid-19 certainly also did not help these communities to thrive, as hundreds were infected and dozens died from the new sickness. This rather inopportune change of events has stopped local businesses from earning money inside Manaus where most commerce takes place. This rather sudden stop in earnings has forced local leaders to rethink their strategy, as tourism and regular transactions both died at the same time. Food trucks, therefore, became a regular sight inside the community, feeding hundreds of locals.

These shortcomings have put further strains on these indigenous communities tjat were already were struggling, trying to manage both worlds: a modern and a traditional one. Their success is not entirely in their own hands, as many outside influences have been trying to take over for their own benefit.

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