Gaia

originally uploaded by ©Tatiana Cardeal.

This Krahô mother reminded me about the old myth of Gaia, Goddess of the Earth.
wiki/Gaia Interpretations

Krahô People is also called Mehim.
They live at northeastern of the Tocantins state,
and were about 2.000 people (in 1999) .

>> Indigenous National Festival at Bertioga city, 2007..... (slide-show link)

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

Guarani pipe's spirit

originally uploaded by ©Tatiana Cardeal.

Being the local host of the Indigenous National Festival, the Guarani People are usually very shy, and just a few of them participate of the Festival. Around Bertioga city there are tribes from Guarani's lands. They survive between the transition of being indigenous with access to all the city's culture and consume, but being very poor and denied by the local community and the absence of specific public politics to support their changes.
At this festival they were more than the last two years; a larger group reflecting being confidant and proud of their tradition. Something have been changing there.

Looking the boy smoking, I had some ambiguous feelings.
I hope their traditions stay strong, alive as that spirit's face through the smoke of the pipe.

>> Indigenous National Festival at Bertioga city, 2007..... (slide-show link)

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

a jaguar scaring me

originally uploaded by ©Tatiana Cardeal.

Paixão is an ancient of the Xavante Tribe, my ancestors.
I met him two years ago, when he made a traditional Xavante knot for me. The knot stayed until last december, when I was in Amazon, and it has gone with the Tapajós river. And so, I asked him to make a new one, because wearing it became something special, making me remeber frequently about where I came from, and what I'm doing.

Here, Paixão was demonstrating a traditional play they do with kids on the tribe (Aldeia Sangradouro), with a story about their myths, where he was painted and moving as an jaguar. The jaguar gave the fire to the Xavante People. They tells the story that in some point the jaguar spirit scares the people, dancing around the children. I was kneeling on the sand, and he started to dance for me, as I was his kid.
One of the most special moments of my life,
and my favorite picture.

>> Indigenous National Festival at Bertioga city, 2007..... (slide-show link)

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

let me be

the future

A Kayapó child , that lives on South Pará State and Mato Grosso State of Brazil.

They were about 7.096 (in 2003). Sadly, the Enawene Nawe People are not so lucky, their population is about only 450 today, and they are needing an urgent attention.

>> Picture of the Indigenous National Festival, 2006, at Bertioga city. (slide-show link)

These other images were made at Pará state in December 2006,
while I was visiting the Health and Happiness Project at Amazonia. (slide-show link)

As usual, there are a lot of human-rights and environmental troubles happening in all the Amazon area. These are becoming worst because of the development shock between different interests sides. In one hand the soy and sugar cane's producers who want the land for the plantations, beside the cattle producers. They believe they are the land's owners and they don't accept the indigenous land's rights (some of them believe to be the owners of the indigenous people too, as you can see at this video that I blogged here).

On the other hand are environmental, health, labor organizations who fights for the forest conservation and basic rights, beside the indigenous people (with their secular relation with these lands, real owners, and for who the future and survive will depend only of their recognition and protection).

What seems hard, and selfish, to those producers understand is that the survive of all of us (indigenous or not) will depend of the protection of these lands, water and forests. It's the old game of a development without sustainability, and they are just repeating the models that our modern life and irresponsible extravagant consume creates.
It's the game of money X life.

Copyright © Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.

Brazilian Indigenous reality beside the soy producers

To help the Enawene Nawe People, you can sign this letter to the brazilian government here:
http://www.survival-international.org/tribes/enawenenawe

fragile shield

originally uploaded by ©Tatiana Cardeal.

More images of a research about the sugarcane monoculture.

Sugar cane's workers, almost slave workers, which have been working for many years, payed only with bags of food.

Here are Rosangela and her mother Rosana,
at Engenho Meia-Légua, Cortez city, Pernambuco State.
September, 2004

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

stepmother girl

originally uploaded by ©Tatiana Cardeal.

After more than ten years living and working on a land, as sugar cane's workers, they were surprised, banished from their houses in the middle of the night, by helicopters and armed men. They lost everything.
They started to live at the borders of the roads, in encampments, waiting for a land and fighting for the Agrarian Reform.

Click here for more pictures of the Chico Mendes Encapment

Pastoral Commission of the Land (CPT),
Assentamento Chico Mendes I,
Ribeirão city, Pernambuco State, 2004.

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

stealing trucks

A few years ago, during a research about the sugar-cane monoculture at the Brazilian northeast, I met a protest which blocked the road at a small city called São Bento. They protested because too many people where dying, run over by trucks.
Another boy had died that morning.
These are sugar cane's trucks, and these boys are happy
because they found something to steal, to eat.

São Bento city, Alagoas State
september, 2004

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

bird flying away

bird flying away, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

The Prestes Maia occupation is now closed, after the removal of all the families. It has been almost 5 years of occupation.
Mixed feelings appeared while I photographed the main door of the building, now covered with concrete and blocks. If on a hand, important development and conquests had occurred in the debate and process about the city housing, calling attention for the social exclusion imposed by the real estate speculation and the preconception between social classes, on the other hand, looking to this door closed, and everything what it iconically represents, brings me some sadness.
It was like looking a giant tomb with 22 floors, sealed up without life, in the heart of the city.

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

thoughtful

thoughtful, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Despite the kind look of the Rikbaktsa girl, the Rikbaktsa People were well known by the neighboring indigenous groups, with which, they have maintained hostile relations. Since their “pacification”, which was financed by rubber planters and carried out by Jesuit missionaries between 1957 and 1962, their traditional territory has been the object of many pioneer fronts, such as rubber extraction, timber and mining companies and agricultural and cattle-raising enterprises.
For more Rikbaktsa information, visit the Instituto Socio Ambiental

> VII Indigenous National Festival, at Bertioga city

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

"pacification"

"pacification", originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

During the Rikbaktsa “pacification” and soon after it, influenza, chickenpox and smallpox epidemics decimated 75% of a population, which was estimated in some 1.300 people at the time of contact. As a consequence, the Rikbaktsa lost most of their lands, and the majority of their small children were taken from the villages to be raised at the Utiariti Jesuit Boarding School, almost 200 kilometers from their homeland. There, the little Rikbaktsa were raised along with children of other indigenous groups also contacted by the missionaries. The surviving adults were gradually transferred from their original villages to larger ones, which were centralized under the Jesuit’s catechist administration.
:
In 1968, about 10% of the Rikbaktsa’s original territory were demarcated as the Erikbaktsa Indigenous Land; from then on their children began to be taken back to their villages, and missionary action concentrated in that area.
Since the end of the 1970s the Rikbaktsa have struggled to regain control over part of their traditional lands. However, it is still occupied by miners, timber companies and colonization companies.

From Rikbaktsa Location and history, by Rinaldo S.V. Arruda,
at the Instituto Sócio Ambiental.

> VII Indigenous National Festival, at Bertioga city.

Copyright © 2007 Tatiana Cardeal. All rights reserved.
Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

Charlottesville - Festival of Photography

June 7-9 2007

The Festival of Photography
Some images of my work was included in a projection there, selected by the american photographer Andy Levin, whose work I so admire, and who was curating it. I really feel honoured for being part of this essay, with all those photographers.
If you are around Charlottesville, I hope you'll enjoy "The Human Condition" projection.

The Charlottesville's Festival is a not for profit celebration of photography — created by photographers. With a program of exhibitions, workshops, interviews, outdoor screenings, and special events, the Festival attracts professional and amateur photographers from around the world to Charlottesville's picturesque historic downtown, Virginia, US.

After dark, on 4th street, going from side of street that Paramount Theatre is on, will happen the "The Human Condition", a Lightstalkers community projection. It has an amazing team of well-known photographers like Ami Vitale, Gary Knight, John Vink, Dave Yoder, Bruno Stevens, and more high quality professionals. You can read the Lightstalkers full list of Photographers in this Festival at this link.

My special thanks to Andy Levin, Wayne E. Yang, Bob Black, Nick Nichols, Jon Golden, the Lighstalkers Team (Teru and Shinji), and everyone else involved.

Good bye

Winds of changes
a gate will open
we navigated in dreams
and expectations

every place
must bring enchants for the eyes
and touch the heart

dear Prestes Maia
symbol of many fights
and knowledge
we brought your name for the world
but it will remain in our hearts

there is a giant bird
that underneath of its wings
received us

here's the life's mirror
It's time to leave
good bye, dear Prestes Maia
we must leave you

the doors are closing
they cease the applauses
but it will be forever
kept in our memory.


Poem by Roberta Maria da Conceição,
who became a nice friend,
always opening her wings and home to receive me
at the Prestes Maia occupation.

the last days

the last days, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

I've been visiting the Prestes Maia occupation these last weeks, to see how things are changing and give some pictures to the people. The progressive and pacific withdrawal of the families had started, and many had moved alredy to other buildings, at city's downtown. They will stay living in those new apartments for 6 months, with a government's fund help, until the "popular" (subsidized) buildings be finished to be inhabitable. Other group of families decided to move out of downtown, to a neighborhood that alredy have "popular" apartments, with the same government support.

Here is João, son of Severino and Roberta, still at his Prestes Maia's home during the lunch. They are going to stay until the last family leaves. They care about the Prestes Maia's library, and they have agreed that the library will be last thing to be moved out of the occupation. For where?
Well, this have been a theme of strong discussion between them,
but it's probably going to another occupation. Let's see.

They have asked to say that they are really thankful for all your support, all the faxes and letters you sent, and this really made a big difference here.

Yudjá song's guardian

Yudjá songs guardian, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Yudjá, also called as Juruna people, portray themselves as the prototype of humanity, as canoeists and beer makers. Part of the Yudjá's cosmological knowledge and ritual life rests on the crucial role of shamans; however, since the 1980s, they have had no more shamans. He worn a crucifix, and so many things have changed in his culture.

* when he posed for me, I though about a guardian spirit, and I couldn't understand why. Later, I saw him recording the chants of the festival.
Shall he be the song's guardian.

The Argentimes, Wolfy Becker and the VII Indigenous National Festival

>> cover


Last February, The Argentimes newspaper (Argentina), published a nice interview, talking about my photographic work, that was previously published at the LivinginPeru.com website (Peru). I've just found a link to download a copy, and now is here too (click to enlarge).
Many thanks to Lucy Cousins, the Co-Editor of The Argentimes.

Sadly, the LivinginPeru.com Executive Editor, Wolfgang Becker, who wrote this interview, and who gave a great support to my work, specially for the indigenous social issues, suffered a heart attack and passed away last 20th, april, 2007.
That day I was photographing the opening of VII Indigenous National Festival, a piece of my communication project to support Indigenous People, and which Wolfgang helped to promote. So I dedicate this next piece of my work to him.

Peru lost a true admirer of its culture, lifestyle, and most of all, its people.
(from LivinginPeru.com newsletter)

centurys

centurys, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

VII Indigenous National Festival, at Bertioga city.
This year was the first time that they had an US indigenous delegation participating. To honor the meeting, two indigenous from America lighten the fire as a symbolic representation from the beginning of the Festival life, to all native cultures.
Here the Yawalapiti warrior from South-America beside the Tewa dancer from North-America, at the official opening.

light in the darkness

light in the darkness, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Here are lady Romilda and the Prestes Maia's coordinator, lady Jomarina, cooking in an improvised kitchen at the encampment. Both of them live at Prestes Maia occupation, and they were cooking pasta for hundreds people of the Downtown Homeless Movement. They have been camping several times, on the streets, in front of the São Paulo's city hall, as a way to protest and pressure the mayor about their cause. Finally, I think it started to work.

Sir. Gilberto Kassab, the actual mayor from the city in person, went friday night (april, 13th) to Prestes Maia building and talk to with the families. The eviction is alredy suspended, 60 days again. But now I think they have something new.

There happened an representative meeting last thursday,12th, that joined Marcio Fontes, Minister of the city, the city mayor, and other representants from federal, state and municipal sphere to resolve the problem of the Prestes Maia families. They are planning a progressive and pacific withdrawal of them, to move groups of families for other buildings, mostly of them still inside the downtown city area, with the support of the federal governament who will reform and rent popular habitations for immediate moving.

the violet girl

the violet girl, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

"Easter is passage - also for ethics politics, that becomes the accessible bread to each mouth and, the wine, joy in each soul. We are who, while still alive, need to make over again the potentialities of the spirit, premises and promises of a true dignity human being. In a compound of Marcel Proust and Hunter of the Lost Ark, we urgently need to undertake the search of the lost conscience, where the solidary indignation against the injustices has smells of appetizing sweet madeleines. In case that contrary, we will be swallow by these simulacrum of pyramids - shopping malls - that at least haven't structure to tell to the posterity how great was the poverty of spirit of a generation that had, as supreme ambition, stocking dozen of electronic gadgets."

Some inspiring words by Frei Betto, for this Easter's sunday.
Frei Betto is a Brazilian writer, political activist, and Dominican friar

This full text in portuguese:
Deus feito de pão

Picture of the girl, at Kibera,
Nairobi, Kenya.

fire on eyes

fire on eyes, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Mr. Nature, very angry, with all the damage
we've been doing to mother earth.

A performance of an enviromental activist, protesting at the opening
march of the VI World Social Forum, at Caracas, Venezuela.

Women's Day slideshow

Brazilian Women's Day was celebrated with the World March of Womem and joined protests against war and G. W. Bush politics, at his brazilian visit. During the walking, a small group of "punks" and protesters, not more than 15 young, tryied to close the avenue lying down in front of some cars and provoking disturbs.
São Paulo's Military Police Force chose to explode gas bombs and shoot plastic bullets in a crowd of almost 10.000 protesters, hurting people and causing panic, as a way to control this group of young.

Mostly of the brazilian editorial media focused only the violence, accusing all the protesters of an "infantile, bizarre and innocuous spectacle".

Well, I tell a different story about this day.

Click at the portrait above for more images.

unprepared

unprepared, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

São Paulo's Military Police Force at the International Womem's Day, who decide to explode gas bombs in a crowd of almost 10.000 people at the World March of Women and anti Bush protest, causing panic and hurting people, because a few "punks" and protesters, not more than 15 young, tryied to close the avenue lying down in front of some cars and provoking disturbs.

dusty and dryness

dusty and dryness, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

I still feel the heat of that sunny afternoon,
looking children of Kibera playing games.
Covered by this orange color,
I was dusty, thirst.
:
Kibera is one of the largest Africa's slum,
just inside Nairobi city.
There are 800.000 people living there.
:
A place not to forget.


Nairobi, Kenya, for the VII World Social Forum.

Click to see more pictures from Kenya,
and the VII World Social Forum, in a slideshow.

peace

peace, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

A year ago, an artist from a performatic group was protesting with others to pressure the judge, asking the suspension of the Prestes Maia Occupation's forced eviction.

It's alredy suspended again, after the visit of the judge who understood the needing of a good plann to remove all those people from the building. They have now 60 days for a new negotiation.
A provisory peace, but also a time to work for new solutions on this terrible inequality.

Thank you all those who were sensibilized and mobilized.
You are brave people.

home sweet home

SUSPENDED!!
Eviction is now suspended!

SUSPENSO!!
O despejo está suspenso!!
(click e leia aqui em português)

Yes, the eviction of the Prestes Maia Occupation is now suspended for 60 days!

I'm trying to find the more details about the cancelation, but I had just a talk with a lawyer representant of the Movement, and he told me that the judge went with the Military Police Commander to the area of the building, and saw how dificult, dangeours and insecure it could be the withdrawal of almost 2000 people... so the judge decided to suspend the eviction for this sunday and gave them 60 days for a new negotiation.

Thank you so much, all of you!

the call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the call, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

AÇÃO URGENTE (click no link, em português)

We need five minutes of your day, and a FAX machine.

from Amnesty International,
to help the Prestes Maia 468 families.

A judge has issued a new order to evict the 468 families who have been living in the derelict Prestes Maia building in central São Paulo for over two years. The municipal authorities must carry out the order before 4 March. Amnesty International is calling you to an urgent action. You can see it in this links.

English
Espanol
Français

Please, spread the word, and sign the online pettition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/pmaia911/

Join our group at Flickr, to support and be informed about this issue:
The Prestes Maia Hope

Picture during a meeting at Prestes Maia occupation of the Homeless Movement of Central São Paulo, in 2005.

happy, Maasai

happy, Maasai, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Maasai woman portrait,
at the opening march of the VII World Social Forum,
arriving at the Uhuru's Park.
Nairobi city, Kenya.

“Change is inevitable.
We would like to be agents of our change
rather than victims of change."

Kakuta Ole Maimai,
Maasai Association

Maasai colors at the WSForum

Maasai colors at the WSForum, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Maasai women at the VII World Social Forum,
from Woman's Guild organization, before activities.
Nairobi, Kenya

at the openning march

at the openning march, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

People from Organization of African Instituted Churches,
at the opening march of the VII World Social Forum,
arriving at the Uhuru's Park.
Nairobi city, Kenya.

the sky is not the limit

the sky is not the limit, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Street kids from Nairobi,
fishing with hands,
at the Uhuru's Park (Freedom's Park).

"Another World is Possible"

VII World Social Forum
Nairobi, Kenya

Amazônia

Amazônia, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

A place to join the breathing of the soul,
the inner you.

Pará State, igarapé at Jamaraquá Village.
Tapajós National Forest, Amazon.

children from Tapajós river

children from Tapajós river, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Health and Happiness Project - Projeto Saúde e Alegria

Health and Happiness, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

This is the name of this great project I went last december/2006, where doctors, dentists and educators go by boat, visiting many poor communitys along the Tapajós and Arapiuns Rivers. Places without social public services works, and where the Project is developing health, education and communication. Distances in Amazonia are large and the path are usually the rivers. Then, they built a hospital-boat to live and work.

At Pará State, a few days,
visiting the Health and Happiness Project

Pictures at Suruacá Community.
Tapajós/Arapiuns Extractivist Reserve, Amazon.