Aweti
Encyclopedia
The Aweti people are a group of Native Americans
living in the Xingu Indigenous Park
, close to the headwaters of the Xingu River
in Brazil
. The Aweti inhabit two villages in the region. One is called Tazu’jyretam, and the other is unnamed. Tazu’jyretam is the main village of the Aweti people, and has been inhabited since at least the 19th century. Tazu’jyretam also has a small port. Both of these villages are located in an area between the Curisevo and Tuatuarí rivers, which feed into the Xingu further upstream.
. Although there was not much communication between the Aweti and European settlers from then onward for several decades, the brief expeditions into the jungle from explorers were enough to introduce diseases into the community to which the Aweti and their neighbors had no immunity. By the time of the 1950 census, the Aweti counted only 23 people. Despite this, the Aweti did not become extinct or merge with other tribes like some of their neighbors.
When the Xingu Indigenous Park was set up in the 1960s, the Aweti population recovered significantly, to 176 people in 2010. This was a result, largely, of better medical care being offered to the people in the region by the Brazilian government. Contact with the outside world increased as well, however, threatening the native language and culture of the Aweti.
At some point after the year 2000, the second Aweti village was set up by an extended family and some of their allies who wished to split from the main Aweti tribe. This included some 35 people, causing the population of the main village to drop from 125 people to 90.
Chiefs, decided by heredity, lead the Aweti villagers and serve as diplomats with other upper Xinguan groups. Currently, the chief of the Aweti is a man named Yalakumin.
Inter-tribal trade and rituals among the people of the upper Xingu are common, with the Aweti trading goods such as vegetable salts and hammocks, made from Burití palm trees. The Huka-Huka wrestling contest is a popular inter-tribal sport. Many tribe members from the upper Xinguan cultural groups also choose to find husbands or wives from other tribes.
, the majority language of Brazil. Children are educated in Portuguese at an Aweti tribal school.
In the new village created in the Aweti tribal area, many people, especially younger individuals, speak Kamayurá
better than Aweti. All of the people in the new village speak at least one language other than Aweti.
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
living in the Xingu Indigenous Park
Xingu National Park
The Parque Nacional Xingu is located in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil and was created on April 14, 1961, signed by President Jânio Quadros. The area of the park is 2,642,003 ha., and it is contained in the municipalities of Mato Grosso; Canarana, Paranatinga, São Félix do Araguaia, São José do...
, close to the headwaters of the Xingu River
Xingu River
The Xingu River , also called Rio Xingu, is a 1,230-mile long, river in north Brazil; it is a southeast tributary of the Amazon River.-Description and history:...
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. The Aweti inhabit two villages in the region. One is called Tazu’jyretam, and the other is unnamed. Tazu’jyretam is the main village of the Aweti people, and has been inhabited since at least the 19th century. Tazu’jyretam also has a small port. Both of these villages are located in an area between the Curisevo and Tuatuarí rivers, which feed into the Xingu further upstream.
History
The Aweti people likely formed from several other tribes which entered the Xingu region in the 17th or 18th century. It wasn't until the late 19th century that the Aweti and other tribes in the region were documented by European explorers, coming from GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Although there was not much communication between the Aweti and European settlers from then onward for several decades, the brief expeditions into the jungle from explorers were enough to introduce diseases into the community to which the Aweti and their neighbors had no immunity. By the time of the 1950 census, the Aweti counted only 23 people. Despite this, the Aweti did not become extinct or merge with other tribes like some of their neighbors.
When the Xingu Indigenous Park was set up in the 1960s, the Aweti population recovered significantly, to 176 people in 2010. This was a result, largely, of better medical care being offered to the people in the region by the Brazilian government. Contact with the outside world increased as well, however, threatening the native language and culture of the Aweti.
At some point after the year 2000, the second Aweti village was set up by an extended family and some of their allies who wished to split from the main Aweti tribe. This included some 35 people, causing the population of the main village to drop from 125 people to 90.
Culture
Aweti villages are built with several huts surrounding a central plaza, which is used for rituals, including funeral rites. This is characteristic of villages built in the area around the Xingu headwaters. A men's hut is also located in the center of the village, and is used for holding ritual flutes which are not allowed to be seen by women.Chiefs, decided by heredity, lead the Aweti villagers and serve as diplomats with other upper Xinguan groups. Currently, the chief of the Aweti is a man named Yalakumin.
Inter-tribal trade and rituals among the people of the upper Xingu are common, with the Aweti trading goods such as vegetable salts and hammocks, made from Burití palm trees. The Huka-Huka wrestling contest is a popular inter-tribal sport. Many tribe members from the upper Xinguan cultural groups also choose to find husbands or wives from other tribes.
Language
The Aweti language is a member of the Tupian language family, although it is unique and distinctive. Because of contact with outsiders, however, some Aweti tribe members can also speak PortuguesePortuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
, the majority language of Brazil. Children are educated in Portuguese at an Aweti tribal school.
In the new village created in the Aweti tribal area, many people, especially younger individuals, speak Kamayurá
Kamayurá language
The Kamayurá language belongs to the Tupi–Guarani family , and is spoken by the Kamayurá people of Brazil – who numbered about 290 individuals as of the year 2004.-Vowels:-Consonants:...
better than Aweti. All of the people in the new village speak at least one language other than Aweti.