About the Kaapor

The first peaceful contacts of the Kaapor with Brazilians occurred in 1928 at Canindé on the Gurupí river. In 1928, it was known as the Indian Post Pedro Dantas (Posto Indígena Pedro Dantas). At that time, the Post was located on the island in front of the present location of Canindé, which is on the Pará side. See the three perspectives on these contacts on this Kaapor website.

With the encroachment of civilization into their natural habitat, the Kaapor retreated to the jungle until their present reservation was marked out. Their population was stable at about 500 for many years. There was a census made by the Canindé Post Administrator around 1968 and the population numbered just over 500. At that time the Post Administrator went to almost every village and made a census. Another census was taken by the Turiaçu Post Administrator in the late 1970’s. Again they numbered just over 500. Since then the distribution of medicine by various groups has helped combat infant mortality as well as helping adults survive flu epidemics. Today (2002), the Kaapor number about 800.

An interesting feature of Kaapor language is the development of sign language among them. There are several deaf-mutes among them and they are able to communicate with others who are not deaf-mutes. The people have developed a sign language among themselves (intra-tribal communication system). A deaf-mute visiting from a distant village is able to communicate with a member of another village without problem. (An article about the Kaapor Sign Language will be posted on this website in the future.)

Another interesting feature is their elaborate naming ceremony with full feather regalia. On the day of naming their child(ren), they wait for the sun to come up and facing this rising sun, the chosen godfather will dance with a child in his arms blowing on a whistle made from the leg bone of the king hawk. Several children may be named during this ceremony. The godfather and father of the child has elaborate feather ornaments such as the parasol made from the tail feathers of the japu bird, decorated lip piece with the tail feather of the macaw as its base, ear rings, wrist bands, and sometimes arm bands as well. This ceremony is preceded by a night of drunkenness as they consume large quantities of beer made from either beiju (manioc mash toasted into round flat cakes), banana or caju.

Parasol	Lip Piece

Kaapor language has 14 consonants and 6 vowels with its nasal vowel counterparts.