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 Possuelos missionreplacing hostility
with civilitythe 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
reciprocatedtwice 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 Korubos 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 FUNAIs expedition crew. The
crewheaded by Afonso Au de Cruz in Possuelos absencehas
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 hasnt.
The Korubos new curiosity raises risks. They are not
alone in this area, and they could wind up in a village where
they arent welcome. I fear there could be a violent
incident, said Possuelo. We dont 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 Koruboaided, 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. Ill explain that there are other people
living in the area...and that [the Korubo] should avoid contact with
those other people.
This briefingStage Two of the expeditionwas
originally slated for April or May, when the rainy season will be over.
But heavy rains have not dampened the Korubos 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. Possuelos 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.
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