Manchineri people of the Mamoadate Indigenous Land warn Funai of the imminent danger of a contact situation
In a new open letter to the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), the Mappha Association (Manxinerune Ptohi Phunputuru Poktshi Hajene) emphasises the urgency of setting up a FUNAI Ethno-Environmental Protection Base in the Mamoadate Indigenous Land to carry out territorial monitoring activity and protect their desconfiado * relatives* in conjunction with the Envira Ethno-Environmental Protection Front. A first letter stating the situation was sent on 21st November but new incidents of proximity to the Isolated have aggravated the situation.
"Everything indicates there is an imminent possibility of contact, given there has been an increase of
incidents (traces being found and whistles being heard). They've been taking place closer and closer to
the Extrema village, including in the village's agricultural plots, something which had never happened
before. Previously these incidents would only happen in Igarapés that were relatively distant from the
village," say the leaders in their letter.
The Isolated are getting closer and closer to the houses and agricultural plots of the Manchineri people, not only in the village of Extrema but also in Lago Novo. The letter lists the most recent incidents in the region: on November 6, traces were found in Alberico Manchineri's agricultural plot; on November 23, blowing sounds were heard at night in front of Alberico's house. And on the 9th, 11th and 12th December, new traces were found in an igarapé frequented by the Manchineri, footprints were found in another agricultural plot and noises from the isolated were heard close to the house of a different family.
The chiefs demand "the immediate construction of the Ethno-Environmental Protection Base in the Extrema village, with all the infrastructure and equipment necessary for monitoring activities (boat, engine, geotechnical equipment, communications equipment).” They also stress the importance of guaranteeing the payment of indigenous monitors currently working at FUNAI. The Manchineri allocate a significant part of the Mamoadate Indigenous Land for the well-being of their isolated relatives and say they are doing their part. But they consider the installation of the base to be fundamental for the protection of the groups in isolation.
*Relatives - Indigenous peoples use the term to refer to all other indigenous peoples who they regard as their kin. *Desconfiados - Translates as suspicious: it is how indigenous peoples refer to their relatives who avoid contact because they don’t trust anyone. *Igarapés - Small streams of water typical of the Amazon region.
