Matis
Encyclopedia
The Matis is an indigenous people of Brazil
living in 2 separate village
s with total population of roughly 290. They live in the far west of Brazil
, in the Vale do Javari
Indigenous
Park, an area covering 32000 square miles (82,879.6 km²). They practice both hunting and agriculture. The Matis tribe were first contacted by the Brazilian agency FUNAI
during 1975-1976, although it was not until two years later in 1978 that FUNAI employees began visiting the then-five Matis villages, after Matis men overcame their fears about visiting the FUNAI station. The 1980s proved most difficult for the tribe in modern times, with experiences of Western disease
s devastating roughly a third of their population, devoid
of natural immunity
or any remedies for these western diseases. The decade also saw the loss of three of their villages which now, completely abandoned, are occasionally visited by the Matis to harvest fruit tree
s.
Time has given the Matis a better understanding of events surrounding and following their first contact over 30 years ago. Whereas elder Matis traditionalists are keen to retain and in some cases readopt their old way of life, the younger Matis have been influenced by the modern outside world and want closer ties with modern Brazil, particularly for school
ing and education
. Regardless of what lies ahead, the Matis want to shape their futures on their own terms.
It was reported on October 31, 2009 that members of the Matis tribe located 9 survivors of a plane crash near the Ituí River
and then contacted the Brazilian Air Force.
Indigenous peoples in Brazil
The Indigenous peoples in Brazil comprise a large number of distinct ethnic groups who inhabited the country prior to the European invasion around 1500...
living in 2 separate village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
s with total population of roughly 290. They live in the far west of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, in the Vale do Javari
Vale do Javari
Vale do Javari is one of the largest reservations for indigenous peoples in Brazil. It lies at the western end of Amazonas state, next to the border with Loreto Region, Peru, and derives its name from Javari River, which is the most important of the region...
Indigenous
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
Park, an area covering 32000 square miles (82,879.6 km²). They practice both hunting and agriculture. The Matis tribe were first contacted by the Brazilian agency FUNAI
Funai
Funai Electric is a Japanese consumer electronics company headquartered in Daitō, Osaka. The company was founded in 1961. It owns the subsidiary Funai Corporation, Inc., established in the United States since 1991, to market and maintain Funai-licensed brands such as Sylvania, Emerson Radio,...
during 1975-1976, although it was not until two years later in 1978 that FUNAI employees began visiting the then-five Matis villages, after Matis men overcame their fears about visiting the FUNAI station. The 1980s proved most difficult for the tribe in modern times, with experiences of Western disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s devastating roughly a third of their population, devoid
Devoid
Devoid is the first official album released by Italian melodic death metal band Dark Lunacy.-Track listing:# "Dolls" - 7:06# "Stalingrad" - 7:11# "Forlorn" - 6:46# "Frozen Memory" - 6:46# "Cold Embrace" - 6:05# "December" - 7:01# "Devoid" - 1:25...
of natural immunity
Immunity (medical)
Immunity is a biological term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. Immunity involves both specific and non-specific components. The non-specific components act either as barriers or as eliminators of wide...
or any remedies for these western diseases. The decade also saw the loss of three of their villages which now, completely abandoned, are occasionally visited by the Matis to harvest fruit tree
Fruit tree
A fruit tree is a tree which bears fruit that is consumed or used by people — all trees that are flowering plants produce fruit, which are the ripened ovaries of flowers containing one or more seeds. In horticultural usage, the term 'fruit tree' is limited to those that provide fruit for...
s.
Time has given the Matis a better understanding of events surrounding and following their first contact over 30 years ago. Whereas elder Matis traditionalists are keen to retain and in some cases readopt their old way of life, the younger Matis have been influenced by the modern outside world and want closer ties with modern Brazil, particularly for school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
ing and education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. Regardless of what lies ahead, the Matis want to shape their futures on their own terms.
It was reported on October 31, 2009 that members of the Matis tribe located 9 survivors of a plane crash near the Ituí River
Ituí River
Ituí River is a river of Amazonas state in north-western Brazil.-References:*...
and then contacted the Brazilian Air Force.