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Sydney Possuelo is cutting short a “forced vacation” brought on by health problems so that he can return to the expedition site and meet again with the Korubo. He hopes to depart from Brasília by November 30. The impetus for this unexpected trek is a pleasant irony: Contact with the Korubo may be going too  well. Possuelo fears that the Indians now have an unduly benign view of their Amazonian neighbors. He discussed his concerns with Peter Winkler, writer-editor for National Geographic Online, on November 22, 1996. In the same interview, Possuelo provided an update on the work of defending the Vale do Javari as Indian territory.

Too much of a good thing?

In terms of Possuelo’s mission—replacing hostility with civility—the contact is going “extremely well.” The first-contact veteran marveled, “So far, everything has been beyond  my expectations.” Not only did the Indians welcome visits from the expedition in October, but they have since reciprocated—twice trekking to the expedition anchorage on the Ituí River. Each time the Korubo spent a “very friendly” day with the crew. The Indians toured the Waika, one of the expedition vessels, and helped themselves to pots, knives, hammocks, and clothes. The crew wound up sleeping on the deck in only the clothes they had on, Possuelo reported with a chuckle. (He has since sent new supplies.)

The Korubo’s frenzied grabbing stems not from greed, Possuelo believes, but from a desire to test the expedition crew. Are these strangers, the Indians wonder, as patient and well-meaning as they appear to be? To prove that they are, Possuelo and the crew will welcome visit after visit, surrendering item after item.

Trouble comes, Possuelo explained, if the Korubo take the entire world to be as friendly and patient as FUNAI’s expedition crew. The crew—headed by Afonso Au de Cruz in Possuelo’s absence—has noted that the Korubo seem to be cutting trails throughout the area. “This movement is normal,” Possuelo explained, but he had expected the rainy season to slow the Korubo. It hasn’t.

The Korubo’s new curiosity raises risks. They are not alone in this area, and they could wind up in a village where they aren’t welcome. “I fear there could be a violent incident,” said Possuelo. “We don’t know how those other people will react. They might not be as friendly; they might not understand what [the Korubo] are saying or what they want. And they might become violent.” A clash with either hostile caboclos  (river dwellers) or traditional Indian enemies could easily undo the slow work of peaceful contact. Meetings also mean more exposure to disease.

Once he returns to the Vale do Javari, Possuelo plans to meet with the Korubo—aided, he hopes, by the same Matis Indians who served as interpreters during the contact meetings. Possuelo will warn the Indians of the dangers they could face and counsel them to be cautious. “I’ll explain that there are other people living in the area...and that [the Korubo] should avoid contact with those other people.”

This briefing—“Stage Two” of the expedition—was originally slated for April or May, when the rainy season will be over. But heavy rains have not dampened the Korubo’s curiosity, so Possuelo will accelerate his schedule.

Unpopular enforcers

The FUNAI crew continues to block traffic on the Ituí and Itacuaí Rivers. The Rio Jacurapa, a double-decked expedition vessel, is anchored at the confluence of the two rivers while construction continues on a floating post that will be moored at that spot. Possuelo reported that the base of the post has been completed; wood for the guardhouse should arrive in a week or so.

Quite a few vessels have sought to enter the Vale do Javari, Possuelo reported. Most left with only a grumble after the expedition crew explained that the region was being protected as Indian land.

But “shots almost flew” on November 19, when a vessel sailed down the Ituí after spending many months in the forbidden region. Both the FUNAI crew and their adversaries grabbed and pointed their weapons. Tension mounted until the crew of the illicit vessel acquiesced to a search. Possuelo’s crew apprehended 112 animal skins and an enormous stash of salted animal meat.

The incident underscored the danger of confronting those used to hunting and logging in the Vale do Javari. Because of this tense situation, Possuelo will bring additional arms for his men when he returns.

 
 
©1996 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.