The Case of Darkness in El Dorado …as the Yanomami Group Three: Brian Staub Colin Ricketts Ryan Mercier Andrew Kay Courtney Calloway Dan Colaiezzi

YANOMAMI Background Information

Where do they live? Border of Venezuela and Brazil  Orinoco River Basin (Southern Venezuela)  Amazon River Basin (Northern Brazil) Approximately 363 Villages  30 to 90 Residents each

How do they live? Communal House  Shabono  Relocate approx. every 5 years Horticulture  Plantains  Tobacco  Vegetables  Medicines Foraging  Monkeys  Deer  Foul  Nuts, Fruits  Fish

Social Organization Each Village is Autonomous. Age, Sex, and Personal Accomplishments are Important in Status Differentiation.  “Yanomamö men acquire high status through valor in combat, accomplished oratory, and expertise in shamanism”. Mature men dominate positions of political authority and religious practice. Local descent groups play important roles in regulating marriages and settling disputes within the village.

Family Structure Monogamous or Polygynous nuclear families are the rule. Marital partners ought to be cross- cousins. Men and women average 2.8 marital partners.  75% due to divorce as a result of death to male or female partner.

What problems do they face? Conflict with other villages Brazilian Gold Miners (Beginning 1980s)  Physical Health Effects Noise from supply planes scaring away game. Mercury dumped in rivers. Introduction of new illnesses.  Social System Effects Introduction of Alcohol outside ritual leads to violence. Introduction of prostitution.

Major Changes Growing dependency on trade with outsiders for metal goods.  Pots, arrows, fish hooks, axes, etc. Effects of Brazilian Gold Miners

YANOMAMI Role In Controversy

The Controversy October 1, Patrick Tierney publishes The Darkness in El Dorado  Sensational revelations  Exposes people of prestige in the anthropological community Main Focus:  Long term project of study of the Yanomami organized by James Neel in which Chagnon, Asch, and numerous other anthropologists took part Tierney’s Revelations:  Project was an outgrowth and continuation of the AEC’s experiments on human subjects  Neel and Chagnon started an epidemic of measles  An attempt to provide scientific support for Neel’s eugenic theory

Role in Controversy The Yanomami people are the “subjects” in the case of The Darkness in El Dorado  Neel-Chagnon anthropological research in the 1960s  Patrick Tierney’s detailed book titled The Darkness in El Dorado  Investigations by the AAA, and both Venezuela’s and Brazil’s government  The victims of alleged “culture-destroying” practices

YANOMAMI Benefits and Losses

Benefits Ties to the real world. Gained modern day tools and weapons, through trade.  axes, machetes, fish hooks, cooking pots

Losses Yanomami culture was given bad image.  Napoleon Chagnon’s book The Fierce People. Changes in everyday life. Broken alliances.

Losses Disease and death.  Measles Epidemic of Loss of privacy.

YANOMAMI Relationship with Anthropologists

Relationship with the Anthropologists Yanomami and anthropologists were allies for the most part. Yanomami gave anthropologists information in return for goods (soap, machetes, etc.). The anthropologists introduced the Yanomami to things such as healthcare and vaccinations. Yanomami gave names to their “friends” the anthropologists (i.e. Waru). Yanomami made the anthropologists establish friendships upon entering their territory.

YANOMAMI Relationship with Native Countries

The Yanomami in Venezuela and Brazil Are considered full citizens by both governments. They are mostly ignored by the two governments. Both countries failed to the Yanomami from invasion into their land.  Which led to disease, pollution and frequent violent encounter.

Venezuela Relationship Yanomami are full citizens with rights to language, culture, religion and political organization. Government promised to provide healthcare, but has never delivered on the promise. Government failed to protect Yanomami from miners in the late 80’s, early 90’s. The Yanomami were awarded a National Park in 1990 after suing Venezuela Government.

Brazil Relationship Yanomami are full citizens. National Congress can permit the use of their land for hydroelectric and mining projects. As in Venezuela, Brazilian government failed to protect Yanomami from rogue miners.

Brazil Relationship Continued The Northern Perimeter Roadway made it easier for ranchers and miners to take over Yanomami land. Led to disease, violence, loss of land and pollution. Yanomami made claims of rapes at nearby military bases.

Sources Shabono - Overview Shot of Yanomami Village - Settlement Patterns -  Benefits & Losses - tm  Role in Controversy –   