Brazil’s Indians and the Onslaught of Civilization: The Yanomami and the Kayapó

The Yanomami and Kayapó, two indigenous groups of the Amazon rainforest, have become internationally known through their dramatic and highly publicized encounters with “civilization.” Both groups struggle to transcend internal divisions, preserve their traditional culture, and defend their land from depredation, while seeking to benefit from the outside world, yet their prospects for the future seem very different. Placing each group in its historical context, Linda Rabben examines the relationship of the Kayapó and Yanomami to Brazilian society and the wider world. She combines academic research with a wide variety of sources, including celebrated leaders Paulinho Payakan and Davi Kopenawa, to assess how each group has responded to outside incursions. This book is a substantially revised edition of Unnatural Selection: The Yanomami, the Kayapó, and the Onslaught of Civilization, originally published in 1998, and includes a new chapter examining the controversy for anthropologists studying the Yanomami following the publication of Patrick Tierney’s book Darkness in El Dorado. Another new chapter focuses on the resurgence of Northeastern indigenous groups previously thought extinct. The magnitude and significance of indigenous movements has increased greatly, and a new generation of Brazilian indigenous leaders, proficient in Portuguese, is participating in the national political arena. The Yanomami and Kayapó, two indigenous groups of the Amazon rainforest, have become internationally known through their dramatic and highly publicized encounters with “civilization.” Both groups struggle to transcend internal divisions, preserve their traditional culture, and defend their land from depredation, while seeking to benefit from the outside world, yet their prospects for the future seem very different. Placing each group in its historical context, Linda Rabben examines the relationship of the Kayapó and Yanomami to Brazilian society and the wider world. She combines academic research with a wide variety of sources, including celebrated leaders Paulinho Payakan and Davi Kopenawa, to assess how each group has responded to outside incursions.This book is a substantially revised edition of Unnatural Selection: The Yanomami, the Kayapó, and the Onslaught of Civilization, originally published in 1998, and includes a new chapter examining the controversy for anthropologists studying the Yanomami following the publication of Patrick Tierney's book Darkness in El Dorado. Another new chapter focuses on the resurgence of Northeastern indigenous groups previously thought extinct. The magnitude and significance of indigenous movements has increased greatly, and a new generation of Brazilian indigenous leaders, proficient in Portuguese, is participating in the national political arena.Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2005 The Yanomami and Kayap, two indigenous groups of the Amazon rainforest, have become internationally known through their dramatic and highly publicized encounters with civilization. Both groups struggle to transcend internal divisions, preserve their traditional culture, and defend their land from depredation, while seeking to benefit from the outside world, yet their prospects for the future seem very different. Placing each group in its historical context, Linda Rabben examines the relationship of the Kayap and Yanomami to Brazilian society and the wider world. She combines academic research with a wide variety of sources, including celebrated leaders Paulinho Payakan and Davi Kopenawa, to assess how each group has responded to outside incursions. This book is a substantially revised edition of Unnatural Selection: The Yanomami, the Kayap, and the Onslaught of Civilization, originally published in 1998, and includes a new chapter examining the controversy for anthropologists studying the Yanomami following the publication of Patrick Tierneys book Darkness in El Dorado. Another new chapter focuses on the resurgence of Northeastern indigenous groups previously thought extinct. The magnitude and significance of indigenous movements has increased greatly, and a new generation of Brazilian indigenous leaders, proficient in Portuguese, is participating in the national political arena. Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2005 The Yanomami And Kayapo, Two Indigenous Groups Of The Amazon Rainforest, Have Become Internationally Known Through Their Dramatic And Highly Publicized Encounters With Civilization. Both Groups Struggle To Transcend Internal Divisions, Preserve Their Traditional Culture, And Defend Their Land From Depredation, While Seeking To Benefit From The Outside World. Yet Their Prospects For The Future Seem Very Different. Placing Each Group In Its Historical Context, Linda Rabben Examines The Relationship Of The Kayapo And Yanomami To Brazilian Society And The Wider World. She Combines Academic Research With A Wide Variety Of Sources, Including Celebrated Leaders Paulinho Payakan And Davi Kopenawa, To Assess How Each Group Has Responded To Outside Incursions. This Book Is A Revised And Updated Edition Of Unnatural Selection: The Yanomami, The Kayapo, And The Onslaught Of Civilization, Published In 1998--jacket. Setting The Scene -- In Search Of The Other -- The People From Between The Waters -- Payakan: A Cautionary Tale -- Yanomami Apocalypse -- Davi -- Savage Anthropology -- Emerging Indians -- Fit For What? Linda Rabben. Rev. Ed. Of: Unnatural Selection. C1998. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 187-205) And Index. Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 List of Abbreviations 9 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction 18 1/ Setting the Scene 29 2/ In Search of the Other 40 3/ The People from Between the Waters 63 4/ Payakan: A Cautionary Tale 84 5/ Yanomami Apocalypse 105 6/ Davi 135 7/ Savage Anthropology 147 8/ Emerging Indians 165 9/ Fit for What? 182 Notes 198 Bibliography 202 Index 221 MAY 1992A WARM AND GOLDEN AUTUMN IN BRAZIL.