The Case of Darkness in El Dorado

…as the Yanomami

Group Three: Brian Staub

Colin Ricketts

Ryan Mercier

Andrew Kay

Courtney Calloway

Dan Colaiezzi

YANOMAMI

Background Information

Where do they live?

Border of Venezuela and Brazil Orinoco River Basin

(Southern Venezuela) Amazon River Basin

(Northern Brazil) Approximately 363

Villages 30 to 90 Residents

each

How do they live?

Communal House Shabono Relocate approx. every 5

years

Horticulture Plantains Tobacco Vegetables Medicines

Foraging Monkeys Deer Foul Nuts, Fruits Fish

Social Organization

Each Village is Autonomous. Age, Sex, and Personal Accomplishments are

Important in Status Differentiation. “Yanomamö men acquire high status through valor

in combat, accomplished oratory, and expertise in shamanism”.

Mature men dominate positions of political authority and religious practice.

Local descent groups play important roles in regulating marriages and settling disputes within the village.

Family Structure

Monogamous or Polygynous nuclear families are the rule.

Marital partners ought to be cross-cousins.

Men and women average 2.8 marital partners. 75% due to divorce as a result of death

to male or female partner.

What problems do they face?

Conflict with other villages Brazilian Gold Miners (Beginning 1980s)

Physical Health Effects Noise from supply planes scaring away game. Mercury dumped in rivers. Introduction of new illnesses.

Social System Effects Introduction of Alcohol outside ritual leads to

violence. Introduction of prostitution.

Major Changes

Growing dependency on trade with outsiders for metal goods. Pots, arrows, fish hooks, axes, etc.

Effects of Brazilian Gold Miners

YANOMAMI

Role In Controversy

The Controversy

October 1, 2000 - Patrick Tierney publishes The Darkness in El Dorado Sensational revelations Exposes people of prestige in the anthropological community

Main Focus: Long term project of study of the Yanomami organized by James

Neel in which Chagnon, Asch, and numerous other anthropologists took part

Tierney’s Revelations: Project was an outgrowth and continuation of the AEC’s

experiments on human subjects Neel and Chagnon started an epidemic of measles An attempt to provide scientific support for Neel’s eugenic

theory

Role in Controversy

The Yanomami people are the “subjects” in the case of The Darkness in El Dorado Neel-Chagnon anthropological research in the

1960s Patrick Tierney’s detailed book titled The Darkness

in El Dorado Investigations by the AAA, and both Venezuela’s

and Brazil’s government The victims of alleged “culture-destroying”

practices

YANOMAMI

Benefits and Losses

Benefits

Ties to the real world. Gained modern day

tools and weapons, through trade. axes, machetes, fish

hooks, cooking pots

Losses

Yanomami culture was given bad image. Napoleon Chagnon’s book The Fierce People.

Changes in everyday life. Broken alliances.

Losses

Disease and death. Measles

Epidemic of 1968.

Loss of privacy.

YANOMAMI

Relationship with Anthropologists

Relationship with the Anthropologists

Yanomami and anthropologists were allies for the most part.

Yanomami gave anthropologists information in return for goods (soap, machetes, etc.).

The anthropologists introduced the Yanomami to things such as healthcare and vaccinations.

Yanomami gave names to their “friends” the anthropologists (i.e. Waru).

Yanomami made the anthropologists establish friendships upon entering their territory.

YANOMAMI

Relationship with Native Countries

The Yanomami in Venezuela and Brazil

Are considered full citizens by both governments.

They are mostly ignored by the two governments.

Both countries failed to the Yanomami from invasion into their land. Which led to disease, pollution and

frequent violent encounter.

Venezuela Relationship

Yanomami are full citizens with rights to language, culture, religion and political organization.

Government promised to provide healthcare, but has never delivered on the promise.

Government failed to protect Yanomami from miners in the late 80’s, early 90’s.

The Yanomami were awarded a National Park in 1990 after suing Venezuela Government.

Brazil Relationship

Yanomami are full citizens. National Congress can permit the use

of their land for hydroelectric and mining projects.

As in Venezuela, Brazilian government failed to protect Yanomami from rogue miners.

Brazil Relationship Continued

The Northern Perimeter Roadway made it easier for ranchers and miners to take over Yanomami land.

Led to disease, violence, loss of land and pollution.

Yanomami made claims of rapes at nearby military bases.

Sources

Shabono - http://www.yanomami.de/yanomami.html Overview Shot of Yanomami Village -

http://www.socioambiental.org/pib/epienglish/yanomami/land.shtm Settlement Patterns - http://www.unl.edu/rhames/212/YANREADG.htm

Benefits & Losses -http://members.aol.com/archaeodog/darkness_in_el_dorado/documents/0421.htm

http://phschool.com/science/science_news/articles/rumble_in_jungle.html

Role in Controversy – http://www.ratical.org/ratville/Yanomami.html www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0204/q_n_a.html http://members.aol.com/archaeodog/darkness_in_el_dorado/index.htm