Brazil: the Amazon – indigenous tribes fight back (2024)

IWTW ‘Explore’ is about highlighting different trends around the world and presenting audiences with both sides of the story in order to facilitate a better understanding of world issues and decision making in the spheres of the economy, society, environment, technology and politics.

What is it about?

In the Amazon, the Yanomami staunchly oppose the destruction of their habitat. Their shaman and spokesperson undertakes a world tour to give a face and a voice to their campaign of resistance.

Davi Kopenawa is the shaman and spokesperson for the Yanomami. His people live in the Amazon rainforest in harmony with nature. Throughout their history, the Yanomami have had to defend themselves against cultural oppression, environmental destruction, epidemics and violence. Since the 1970s, illegal gold mining in particular has posed a threat and destroyed the indigenous people’s habitat. Time and time again, deadly clashes occur between illegal gold miners and Amazon communities.

The situation was further exacerbated when former Brazilian President Bolsonaro declared his intention to legalize the extraction of resources in Yanomami territory. Davi Kopenawa has decided to seek international support for the cause. He’s certain that if the shamans stop dancing and life in the rainforest is thrown out of balance, the sky will fall and crush everything beneath it – not just the Yanomami. But can he convince those who are running the country?

Why should I watch it?

  • More than 21K views since Dec 11, 2024
  • More than 544 likes

Full episode (by DW documentaries)

IWTW note: The opinions in the video don’t necessarily represent those of IWTW. The goal of IWTW ‘Explore’ is to inform its audience about interesting developments around the world through a selection of short and long documentaries. IWTW considers those documentaries to be great starting points for further discussion. I strive to update the selection of content should ‘better’ documentaries emerge over time.

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