A vida nas últimas aldeias indígenas de São Paulo

Summary

This transcript explores the complex situation of the Guarani Mbya Indigenous community in São Paulo, Brazil, particularly their struggle to preserve their land and culture amidst the encroachment of urbanization. The community, living in the Jaraguá Indigenous Land, faces environmental challenges and a shrinking territory, now just 1.7 hectares compared to the 500+ hectares they seek. The Guarani's traditional lifestyle is threatened by the proximity to the city, with limited resources and reliance on outside food and financial aid. Despite these hardships, the community remains committed to preserving their language, culture, and traditional farming practices, while also grappling with the political fight over land rights and the ongoing debate around the Marco Temporal, which threatens their ancestral territories.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Guarani Mbya community of Jaraguá Indigenous Land is located within São Paulo, a city with significant urban noise and infrastructure close by.
• 😀 The Jaraguá Indigenous Land is the smallest officially recognized indigenous area in Brazil, with only 1.7 hectares, yet the community is fighting for the recognition of a much larger area (500+ hectares).
• 😀 The community of approximately 750 people is surrounded by busy highways, which limits their traditional way of life and affects their ability to use natural resources like water from local rivers.
• 😀 The Guarani people of Jaraguá are struggling to maintain their traditional agricultural practices as the land is constrained and surrounded by urban development.
• 😀 The community faces difficulties in being self-sufficient, relying on external sources such as market purchases and food donations, rather than producing all their own food.
• 😀 While technology like cell phones and computers is used in the community, the homes are still traditional, with adobe walls and dirt floors.
• 😀 Unlike other poor neighborhoods in São Paulo, the Guarani communities lack local businesses, and most jobs are centered around education, healthcare, and cultural centers.
• 😀 There is a deep tension between modern urban growth and the traditional way of life for the Guarani, who live in close quarters due to limited space, which contrasts with their cultural preference for dispersed housing.
• 😀 The community’s struggle extends beyond land access, as the Guarani must fight against the ‘Marco Temporal,’ a legal theory that limits indigenous territorial rights to lands occupied in 1988 when the Brazilian Constitution was enacted.
• 😀 The Guarani continue to fight for the preservation of their culture and language, with young children attending indigenous education centers where only the Guarani language is spoken until they reach the fundamental level of schooling.

Q & A

Why is the Guarani community's situation at Jaraguá unique in São Paulo?

The Guarani community at Jaraguá is unique because it exists in a highly urbanized area, with busy highways on all sides, yet maintains its Indigenous traditions. Despite being only 15 km from the city center, the community is faced with significant challenges, such as environmental degradation and limited space for traditional practices like agriculture.

How did the territory of the Guarani community at Jaraguá change over time?

The territory of the Guarani community at Jaraguá, initially surrounded by nature, has been drastically altered by urban expansion. In the 1960s, the area was mostly forested, but now it is encroached upon by highways and developments, making it difficult for the community to maintain their traditional way of life.

What is the significance of the area’s size in relation to other locations in São Paulo?

The Guarani community's territory at Jaraguá officially occupies just 1.7 hectares, which is almost ten times smaller than the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, the headquarters of the São Paulo state government. The community advocates for a larger demarcation of over 500 hectares.

What are some of the challenges the Guarani community faces in terms of self-sufficiency?

The Guarani community at Jaraguá struggles with self-sufficiency due to the urban environment surrounding them. They can no longer rely on traditional agriculture or hunting, and instead depend on food from markets or donations. The limited available land restricts their ability to cultivate enough food to support the entire community.

What role do urban infrastructure and development play in the community's lifestyle?

Urban infrastructure, such as highways and city developments, has a profound impact on the Guarani community's lifestyle. The constant noise and pollution from passing vehicles are a stark reminder that the community lives in close proximity to a major city, yet their traditional way of life, centered around nature, is increasingly incompatible with the surrounding urbanization.

What is the cultural significance of the Guarani language for the community?

The Guarani language is central to the community's cultural identity. It is taught and spoken exclusively in the community's education centers, reinforcing the importance of language in maintaining traditional Guarani values and practices, especially among children under six years old.

How do the Guarani communities in other areas of São Paulo differ from those at Jaraguá?

While the Guarani communities in areas like Parelheiros face their own challenges, such as the increasing proximity of urbanization and issues like drug trafficking, they also enjoy a more natural and less encroached environment compared to the urbanized Jaraguá area. The expansion of territories in places like Parelheiros has allowed for better access to traditional farming practices and a larger, more sustainable living space.

What impact did the Marco Temporal legal framework have on the Guarani people?

The Marco Temporal, a legal framework that limits Indigenous land rights to only those territories occupied since 1988 (the year the Brazilian Constitution was ratified), threatens the Guarani people's rights to land that they have traditionally occupied. This legal challenge has been a significant concern for the community, especially for those living in areas not yet officially recognized or demarcated.

How does the community balance traditional practices with modern technologies?

The Guarani community at Jaraguá, despite being surrounded by modern technology and urban life, continues to practice traditional ways of life, such as farming and maintaining cultural rituals. However, they also adapt to modern technologies, with cell phones and computers coexisting with their more traditional building structures and methods. This balance reflects the ongoing transformation of Indigenous identity in a modern world.

What efforts have been made to support the Guarani community's economic sustainability?

Various programs have been implemented to support the Guarani community, including jobs provided by the local government through initiatives like maintaining community gardens and other public spaces. However, these efforts are not enough to fully sustain the community, which still faces economic challenges and relies on external assistance like Bolsa Família and food donations.