People of the Rainforest

Indigenous People

• Hunting and Gathering

• Live off nature• Amazon Rainforest

holds the largest populations of these tribal people today

• Loin cloths are worn

Pygmy house made with sticks and leaves in northern Republic of the Congo.

Kaiapo medicine man (Shaman), Brazil

Kaiapo father with child in the Amazon, Brazil

Kaiapo Indians dressed in ceremonial costumes, Brazil

Amerindians• The tribal people who have adopted Western styles– They grow crops (bananas, rice)– They use Western goods (pots, pans, and utensils)– They go into towns and cities to bring food to sell at the

market– They wear Western Clothing (pants and shirts)– Sell crafts and sell them to tourists to earn

Almost NO forest Amerindians live in their fully traditional ways anymore.

Amazon Colonist Children

Boy with Parrot from Amazon Colony

Amerindians

• Don’t obtain food ONLY from hunting and gathering anymore

• Most cultivate crops and additionally do hunting, gathering and fishing– Most families have 2 gardens: • 1 small with a variety of plants• 1 large plantation with bananas and rice

• Slash and Burn Method used to create plantations

Slash and Burn

• Slash and Burn Technique:– Vegetation (trees, shrubs) is cut down and then

burned. – The ash acts like a fertilizer adding nutrients to the

soil. – When the soil begins to turn infertile (usually after

3-5 years) the people move on. – It is a sustainable method of farming in the

rainforest because it ensures the forest will recover.

SLASH

BURN

Why are there less traditional people and more Amerindians?

• As rainforests decline, the people lose their homes and culture

• Native people population declined with settlers exposing them to diseases

• Some are given a choice: – allow lands to be developed or – left in a natural state

The Choice

• KEEP LAND– Keep their traditional

culture and traditions of their people

– Want a natural lifestyle– Sometimes problems

occur between a group because some want development and some want tradition

• LAND DEVELOPMENT– Receive benefits of

civilized life– Better education for

children– Access to healthcare– Roads/Electricity

Are there ANY similarities?• Children of the rainforest do not have TV, use the

internet or play videogames • Play with friends, do family chores and go to

school• They learn things that are helpful in the

environment around them– Fishing– Hunting– Collect food

• Their playground is the forest, rivers and streams

Children in Indonesia

Village children from the Amazon