Brazil court rules tribe must leave sacred burial land but Guarani-kaiowa tribal spokesmen said their community of 170 people would rather die on the land than be made to leave the ranch in the southern state of Mato Grosso do Sul.
Source:
Matt Roper
Protest: An ethnic Guarani-Kaiowa Brazilian
Indian from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul fixes a cross into the lawn
at the Esplanade of Ministries in Brasilia yesterday. His entire tribe
of 170 Indians have vowed to commit mass suicide after a court ruled
they must leave what they believe is sacred land
This week, Judge Henrique Bonachela upheld a petition made by the ranch's owner to have the tribe evicted from the land. He decreed a fine of £150 for every day the tribe remains on the land, on the banks of Brazil's Joguico River.
A spokesman for the tribe today said they do not intend to fight the judge's decision but would rather die on the land than be made to leave.
And in a letter the tribe called on the Brazilian government to respect their wishes to be buried there along with their ancestors.
It read: 'Because of this historic fact, we would prefer to die and be buried together with our ancestors right here where we are now. We ask, one time for all, for the government to decree our extinction as a tribe, and to send tractors to dig a big hole and there to throw our dead bodies. We have all decided that we will not leave this place, neither alive nor dead.'
A spokesman for the tribe today said they do not intend to fight the judge's decision but would rather die on the land than be made to leave.
And in a letter the tribe called on the Brazilian government to respect their wishes to be buried there along with their ancestors.
It read: 'Because of this historic fact, we would prefer to die and be buried together with our ancestors right here where we are now. We ask, one time for all, for the government to decree our extinction as a tribe, and to send tractors to dig a big hole and there to throw our dead bodies. We have all decided that we will not leave this place, neither alive nor dead.'
Remote: The tribe is camped inside a ranch in Brazil's southern state of Mato Grosso do Sul
A spokesman for CIMI described the development as of 'exceptional seriousness'.
And Federal Deputy Sarney Filho warned of the 'extremely worrying' situation.
In a letter to Brazil's Justice Minsitry, he wrote: 'This tribe has had its culture and lands attacked for centuries. They could now go down in history as being the tribe which wiped themselves out by committing collective suicide.
'We must take the necessary measures to avert the worst.'
Indian tribes in southern Brazil have for years been fighting for the country to recognise their traditional lands, many of which now belong to farmers and rich landowners.
As I watch news of Hurricane Sandy the news is showing story after story of people who chose to stay in their homes rather than listen to government leaders telling people to evacuate who are now being rescued. They simply would not leave their homes until the emergency was eminent. There is something that keeps people tied to their home, even in the face of disaster.
I am struck by an awesome contrasting story I recently heard from South America. In Brazil, tribal elders would rather die in order to stay on their land than to be forced to leave their homes and sacred burial grounds.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those who are in leadership positions.
May they have great wisdom.
May the children be protected and safe.
May there be a peaceful resolution.
Update Nov 5: I think back to the article nearly a year ago when this story of escalading tension was covered in the press. Here we are, nearly one year later, and it feels like a flashpoint. May God rain his cooling presence on those who threaten violence in the region.
