The Kayapo (Portuguese: Caiapó) people are the Gê-speaking native peoples of the plain lands of the Mato Grosso and Para in Brazil, south of the Amazon Basin and along Rio Xingu and its tributaries. In 2003, their population was 7,096. Using global media and international attention, they have established political power over their own land . At one time, mining and logging threatened to destroy the rainforest, and thus their way of life. In retaliation, the Kayapo people used forceful tactics to banish loggers and miners in some areas, as well as establish themselves as an economic force. Later, they were again threatened by secretive government plans to build a series of hydro-electric dams on their land. Under the leadership of Paulinho Paiakan, a large demonstration was orchestrated by the Kayapo, drawing media attention world-wide. This demonstration, staged at the planned site for the first dam in Altamira, Pará, lasted several days and brought much pressure upon both the World Bank and the Brazilian government.

In addition, the rock star Sting made an appearance at the demonstration. As a result, the World Bank denied the request for a loan which was to be used to build the dam. The Brazilian government backed out of the plans, as well. Subgroups of the Kayapo include the Xikrin, Gorotire, Menkragnoti and Metyktire.

The forest gives them houses, transport, food and medicine. The problem is that rivers are essential to their way of life and gold mining in Brazil is polluting the rivers, therefore, spreading diseases throughout the tribes.

They have trade agreements with The Body Shop.

The Kayapo people use shifting cultivation, a type of farming where land is cultivated for a few years, until the people move on then they clear another patch and do it all over again.

They get medicine from 650 different plants that they find from plants around their village.

They have a village which has 15 huts; one of those huts is the central house located in the middle of their village this is where only men go to, to talk about issues and decide if they need to move on.

References

1. BBC - Bruce Parry's Amazon - About The Journey - The Kayapo
2. http://www.raoni-institute.org Raoni Institute]
3. http://www.everyculture.com/South-America/Gorotire.html
4. Kayapo: The Body Shop states its case
5. Wilson, Edward O., et al. Biodiversity, Part 3, National Academies Press, 1988. Pg. 140.
6. McConnell, Douglas John. The forest farms of Kandy: and other gardens of complete design. P. 108