Waimiri Atroari

Population: 931 (in 2001)

This indian tribe lives deep in the Amazon Rainforest. They were in continuous battle for over 300 years. When first discovered by the early colonists, their land was one of the most feared and impenetrable in the Amazon. They finally surrendered to "pacification by a government agency"  in 1977 to make way for the Pan American Highway and a hydroelectric project. Their population was around 3000 at that time. In l968 a Catholic priest and 7 nuns were found dead in Waimiri territory.

The words "mydy taha", which literally means"big house", refers to the circular village, where most of the village members live. The term also refers to the total space of the village, including the living quarters and its immediate surroundings, including the gardens. The "mydy taha" is very important for the Waimiri Atroari as it not only their home, it also serves as a ritual area during their festivities. They will create a new village when there is need for it, like for example when there is a population growth or when they need new soil for their garden.

The village is always located near water, either a large river or a seasonal stream. Also every village has its own economy and politics, as there is no central power system. It takes some time for a new village to be created. This all relies on one special person, who is known as a "mydy iapremy", "village master". He is the one to mobilize a set of domestic groups to open up a new space. They start by looking for good terrain for their gardens and when the crops are beginning to grow, they start building their mydy taha.

The economy runs on hunting, fishing, agriculture and gathering wild fruits. Men are responsible for hunting game, which takes place as well as during the day as at night. Both men and women are allowed to fish and often they go fishing with the entire family. Also gathering fruits can be done by everyone. In agriculture each sex has its own task. Men are the ones who fell trees, burn them, and clear the gardens, while women are the ones who harvest the crops. Both take part in planting the gardens, a collective activity involving all the families, who also collectively divide up the produce. The crops include bitter manioc, sweet manioc, several types of sweet potatoes, yams and certain fruits.

Besides these garden crops, the Waimiri Atroari menu includes many species of fish and animals, such as tapirs, howler monkeys, coatis, pakas, wild pigs, curassows, and trumpeter birds, among others. Not all animals and fishes may be eaten on a daily basis. Various food restrictions are imposed on individuals at significant points in their lives, such as birth, rites of passage, first menstruation, and purification before and after a war.