This story excerpt was translated from Portuguese. To read the original story in full, visit Repórter Brasil. You may also view the original story on the Rainforest Journalism Fund website here. Our website is available in English, Spanish, bahasa Indonesia, French, and Portuguese.
An exchange between indigenous people from the Amazonas and Maranhão who autonomously defend their own territory was articulated by the indigenous activist Bruno Pereira and realized one month after his assassination with the journalist Dom Phillips.
When the indigenous activist Bruno Pereira was assassinated in the Javari Valley in the Amazon on June 5, he had an appointment. He would travel to the Araribóia Indigenous Land in Maranhão to promote an exchange between the defenders of the two territories. The idea was that the experienced Guardians of the Guajajara Forest would train their Amazonian relatives from Javari - who, besides also being threatened by the invasion of their territory, still face illegal fishing and drug trafficking on the triple border with Peru and Colombia.
"When a tree falls, many seeds fall to the ground and sprout again". This is how the four Javari Indians defined Bruno's death when they landed in Maranhão. Binin Matis, Igson Kanamari, Manoel Marubo, and Assis Mayoruna were there as seeds to improve their self-defense techniques with the Guajajara.
During surveillance action in the Araribóia Indigenous Land, the guardians burn a tractor and a truck used by illegal loggers. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. During surveillance action in the Araribóia Indigenous Land, the guardians burn a tractor and a truck used by illegal loggers. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022.
They are welcomed by about 50 guardians, among them Laércio, who wears military camouflage pants and has his body painted with urucum and jenipapo. He wears around his neck a necklace with teeth of the queixada, the bush pig. He is one of the most active in the chants and dances chanted to greet the visitors.
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Laércio Guajajara is moved when he hears the Javari Valley Indians talk about Bruno. He stands up with tears in his eyes and hugs each one of them tightly. They share the pain of having lost a friend - in 2019, Paulino Guajajara had been murdered before their eyes by invaders of the territory.
Zarawe Guajajara holding one of the rifles used by the Guajajara; she is one of the women who have joined the guardians in recent years. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Zarawe Guajajara holding one of the rifles used by the Guajajara; she is one of the women who have joined the guardians in recent years. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Training of the Guardians of the Forest follows military standards and is commanded by a retired Federal Highway Policeman. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Training of the Guardians of the Forest follows military standards and is commanded by a retired Federal Highway Policeman. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. "I feel trapped inside my own house", says Igson Kanamary, defender of the Javari IT about the threats he receives. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. "I feel trapped inside my own house", says Igson Kanamary, defender of the Javari IT about the threats he receives. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. In 10 years of activity, the guardians managed to reduce the number of entries into the territory from 78 to 3. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Laércio Guajajara is one of the pioneers of the guardians, he was shot by hunters in 2019 and saw his friend, Paulo Paulino, murdered. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Indigenist Sydney Possuelo, former president of Funai, participated in the exchange between the peoples. He highlighted the importance of the work of the defense teams to protect the isolated and recently contacted indigenous people present both in the Araribóia Indigenous Land and in the Javari Valley. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Another leader of the guardians, Olímpio Guajajara (with the rattle), states that the invaders and loggers are like a cancer: "they are bringing destruction to the forest, my people, our river and our rain" . Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. During the exchange, the indigenous people exchanged experiences and shared the challenges they face in defending their territories. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. The work of the Guardians of the Forest started 10 years ago with only six indigenous people. In the last action, more than 50 participated. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Assis Mayoruna attends one of the lectures during the exchange. In addition to the exchange of experiences between the peoples of the Amazonas and Maranhão, the indigenous people received training on health and how to deal with isolated peoples. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Guardians position themselves at various points when they arrive in a village suspected of colluding with loggers. The formation is part of the training they receive. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Indigenists Sidney Possuelo, Orlando Possuelo and Carlos Travassos, who accompanied the exchange, talk about the importance of protecting the territory through which the isolated and recently contacted peoples pass. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. The indigenous doctor Lucas Albertoni was a friend of Bruno's, participated with him in contact expeditions with the Korubo and shared his experience. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Laércio Guajajara observes the tractor used by the loggers and burned by the Guardians: "It is a feeling of relief for us and for the forest". Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Indigenous doctor, Lucas Albertoni, was a friend of Bruno Pereira's and talked with indigenous people about the care needed to avoid affecting the health of the isolated indigenous people. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022. Indigenous members of the Univaja Surveillance Team arrive at the airport in Imperatriz (MA) to participate in an exchange with the Guardians of the Forest. Image by João Laet/Repórter Brasil. Brazil, 2022.
August 22, 2022
