Kayapo Prowess: Defending the rainforest from deforestation without even an iPhone. A picture may be worth a thousand words but what if the picture is misleading and the words are inaccurate? Attracting the attention of world leaders and experienced conservationists is difficult in the middle of a rainforest. Photos can help, which is all the more reason for them to tell the true story of the Kayapo.
Given that information, few things could be more certain than the courage, resolve, and strategic sophistication of the Kayapo people and their leader, Chief Raoni.
That is why, this picture, which made its way around the Web a few years back is so puzzling.
It is purported to show Chief Raoni weeping upon receiving news of the approval of a hydroelectric dam project that would destroy his people’s homeland. It was accompanied by the following description:
(Chief Raoni ceremonial crying with fellow Kayapo man. Shared via email April 2013.)
His people would have difficulty resisting the short-term gains, like medicine, radios, and modern creature comforts, that would ultimately lead to the permanent demise of the Kayapo culture and their stewardship of the rainforest.
(Barbara Zimmerman, Director of the Kayapo Project. Photo by Pure Energies.)
And that is how Barbara Zimmerman, Director of the Kayapo Project, found herself in 2008 on a plane to the 8th World Wilderness Congress in Anchorage, Alaska seated beside Megaron, a Kayapo leader in full tribal regalia.
Megaron would address an audience of 1,500 professional conservationists from all over the world, and share with them an invitation to help his people.
(Megaron, Kayapo tribal leader. Photo (left) by Martin Schoeller.)