About the Kayapó

The Kayapó were formerly considered to be a very warlike and aggressive tribe inhabiting southern Pará and Northern Mato Grosso, roaming a vast territory from east of the Xingu to the Tapajós. The eastern sector of the tribe was pacified around 1940, and the western sector in the 1950's by the Villas Boas brothers. They warred with neighbouring tribes such as the Karajá, Juruna, Xavante, Tapirapé, Kreen-Akorore and others, as well as local Brazilians such as rubber-tappers and those living along the rivers. They killed, burned villages, sacked them and took captives. Some of these captives are still living in Kayapó villages today, integrated into Kayapó society, married and with children and grandchildren.

Besides warring with non-Kayapós, they also had internal warfare between the different villages and factions, raiding and killing amongst themselves. Today there is no more internal warfare, nor warfare against other tribes, but they assert their bellicose natures by attacking whomever encroaches on their land.

Some of the distinctive features of Kayapó culture are the lip disks that used to be worn by the men and still are worn by some, although the practice is no longer being continued by the younger generation. Another feature is the beautiful body painting in intricate geometric designs that children and adults of both sexes use. Another very interesting feature is their elaborate festivals. The festivals come to a climax after a period of months during which each ritual is rigorously adhered to with its distinctive songs, dances, and special ceremonies which pertain to that festival.

The language has 17 vowels and 16 consonants, and a distinctive intonation pattern and lengthening of vowel to denote emphasis.