| Brazilian
Art |
| The Culture
And Art Of Brazil's Indigenous Community |
| by Ashley Riley Lopes |
| It is here
in Mato Grosso, Brazil, nestled in the heart of agri-business country,
surrounded by deafening waterfalls, clear-water rivers, fields of soy as
long as the eye can see, we live. Though we choose to live in a modest
house, surrounded by a pleasant garden and small businesses, not all of
our neighbors are what one would call middle-class."Nor are they modern"
they are Indians, descendents of the original peoples who populated vast
Brazil. Not far from our home live tribes like the Paresi, the Bororo,
and the Umutina.
Not all Brazilians
are pleased by their presence, viewing them as uneducated, impoverished
and backward. Many believe their adherence to the past is inhibiting Brazil
from moving forward economically and globally. |
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| They have
become unable to see any similarities between themselves and the Indians.
The more open-minded
look on interestedly at their way of life, their thatched-roof houses and
colorful intricate jewelry. Some incorporate Indian art and jewelry into
their modern lives, using their headdresses and fans as wall hangings,
matching a hand-carved coconut necklace with their summer dress.
It was our
difference from and interest in our unique neighbors that brought about
the creation of Pau Brasil Exports, a small business designed to share
the amazing art and jewelry that these peoples create. We call these
creations artifacts, because we believe that they are a modern reminder
of ways of life, lost and unknown to much of the world today.
While the presence
of Indians in modern Brazilian society is controversial, Pau Brasil Exports
acts to preserve this culture by dispensing its artifacts all over the
world. Our web site serves to not only educate users about Brazilian
Indian cultures, but allows users to purchase artifacts directly made by
the Indians themselves. |
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| Whether
merely old-fashioned or a hindrance, Brazilian Indian tribes play a large
part in the country's culture as a whole.
To find out
more about Brazilian Indians and their artifacts, especially those in the
Mato Grosso area.
The articles
below are Ashley's two previous articles on living and traveling in Brazil:
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