First Encounters of the Kaapor with Brazilians

The First Encounters of the Kaapor with Brazilians

Compiled by
James Y. Kakumasu and Kiyoko Kakumasu

Sociedade Internacional de Linguística - SIL
Belém, PA 1990

The purpose for the collection of these stories is to preserve in a permanent fashion the important experience of the pacification of the Kaapor in 1928. The first contacts occurred at the Post called Pedro Dantas which is known as Canindé today on the Gurupi river.

These episodes were told by Jawatekã (also known as Maneru – father of Mane) and Mariana who were both adolescents at the time of the pacification. Maneru told his version in the late 1960s and Mariana told her version in 1975.

The Kaapor texts were edited by Faustino Rossi Caapor and Tapiam Caapor. The art work is the result of a Basic Drawing seminar held in the village of Gurupi-una in 1989. The results are the combination of artwork by the four participants who are: Faustino Rossi Caapor, Juse Peri Caapor, Fernando Sehenoim Caapor and Francisco Xipi Caapor.

Maneru's account (127kB) Kaapor Text (136kB)

Maneru's story of Oropó (56kB) Kaapor Text (64kB)

Mariana's account (138kB) Kaapor Text (156kB)

Another perspective of the pacification is that of Darcy Ribeiro (English translation) in his book A Política Indigenista Brasileira. This article was reproduced in a booklet printed in 1990 with the author's permission. It is reproduced here also. The text is exactly as it appears in his book except for the name of the tribe and some orthographic spelling (both of which have changed since his article was written).