In our modern over-populated world, it seems
hard to believe that some groups remain isolated and untouched in their
original environments. Can something be
done to preserve them from outside influence and protect their natural
resources, or is an end to their way of life inevitable? Who is most to blame for this situation? (A glance at the comments section may give
you some other viewpoints on this situation than those presented in the
article.)
The facts mentioned in this article convey a really strong message. First of all, I would like to say a few words about the whole atrocity which is being committed in Brazil. It makes me sad when I realize what’s happening there. It’s quite unbelievable that while we’re living our ordinary lives, the Awá are facing the biggest problem ever – the question of life and death.
ReplyDeleteEvery day loggers destroy certain part of Awá’s homeland. More and more kilometres squared of trees are being wiped out. Since the rainforest is the Awa’s source of food, famine is being widely spread. I cannot understand these people who are able to cause such serious troubles for Awá. It’s nasty that the only values of companies which are making profit from Awa’s misery, are money and capitalism. They do not take care of human being, of their lifestyle and their traditions. However, I’m mostly concerned about the pistoleros, who are mention in the article. How’s that possible that they kill Awá? Is it normal that if Awás cross some fictive border they just shoot them? Whole families were killed by gunmen and lots of natives became refugees.
As is mentioned in the article, it’s because of Europe and USA that such crimes are being committed. However, it’s nothing new for us. Where ever is a possibility of making money, Europe gorillas and USA sharks are there asap. The question, whether this way of life is possible nowadays is concerning my mind. I would like to say yes that tribes and natives have rights to live as they want to. The image of living in forest, being a part of nature is amazing. However, civilization’s wants and needs are enormous and so places like Amazon rainforest are being destroyed. It’s sad, but an only possible solution of this situation is to reconsider our values.
What I’ve previously mentioned is a nice epic description of the ideal tribes. I do not say it’s not like that, but we should look at it from other points of view. The Brazil government was described as it’s not acting at all and let loggers destroy Awá’s homeland. However, I think it’s quite reserved opinion to judge the whole situation in Brazil without even knowing about government’s policy. Moreover, I do not know, whether the description of harmonic and ideal tribes is even true. Are they really so generous and fair-minded? Without knowing these facts, I think it’s not right to judge. I do not know the true, I do not know the whole situation and so I cannot make a clear attitude.
I have, in the past heard tell of tribes in the Amazon that have really never come into contact with the outside world and when for the first time in their lives they saw a news agency chopper fly over their land, they started shooting arrows at it. At that time it really had surprised me but now what came as a shock to me is the lack of respect that people have towards these people and their way of life in the jungle. The problem that these events have sprung from is, that the people at the top of the chain who are responsible for the logging never have to face what they did and just don’t care how many people die and wildlife is destroyed. As Matus noted, there are the cold-hearted pistolieros who, in my opinion just couldn’t care less who they are killing as long as they get their money. All this that is happening is sad but true. I am glad that the Brazilian government has enough sense to fight the deforestation, genocide and destruction of wildlife and to work alongside organizations that protect the Awa people.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the world we live in, I must say that this end is inevitable, since the enormous power of capitalism goes beyond that of common sense and it is, as Matus hinted, the fault of the American and Western European mega-companies that the tribe is suffering. Unfortunately, with the world being as it is, I don’t see a very bright, if any, future for the Awa people and similar undeveloped tribes. They have few choices. They can either adapt and drastically change their lifestyle or they can let themselves be pushed out of their homes like in a scene from Avatar and eventually go extinct. I honestly wish them the best of luck surviving, because they are definitely going to need it.
It is incredible to see hunter-gatherers, and not just the Awa, but other tribes as well, surviving thousands of years without a contact with different civilization. Vast majority of hunting-gathering tribes became farmers years ago, and those who did not, were either wiped out by the stronger, armed farmers, or they could not resist the germs the farmers were immune to. These few tribes are therefore exceptionally unique. In other words, we should behave accordingly, and do everything we can to preserve the tribes.
ReplyDeleteI would blame the Brazilian government the least for the situation the Awa are in. It is true that they could have taken more serious measures in order to stop pistoleros, but it is First World who seems to fuel the destruction. The arrival of the settlers with the railway was inevitable. With the settlers came the germs, which is in my opinion the most serious threat to these tribes. The viruses the bodies of the members of the Awa are not immune to, are a lot harder to fight than the gunmen. The diseases can slowly wipe out the whole tribe in front of our eyes.
There is something that could be done to preserve the natural way the Awa live. The Survival initiative itself is a good way of bringing the issue to the public attention. I am sure the officials around the world are very well informed, but it is the pressure from ordinary people and celebrities that could speed up the process. However, I am little bit pessimistic about their survival. I think that the interconnections between the governments and the companies are just too strong, and it is in their financial interest to keep the business going.
Furthermore, I would like to react to Sam’s comment. If the Awa adapted and changed their lifestyle, the whole purpose of preserving the tribe would be ruined. I think it is in everyone’s interest to preserve their natural resources, environment, and preserve them from outside influence in the first place.