Indigenous Writers from the Amazon Region
AILTON KRENAK
Krenak writer, philosopher and activist
"We are all experiencing a rupture in our sense of belonging to life. We are now perceiving everything as a threat: rains, floods, temperatures. But we don’t realize that what we are experiencing is the fever of the planet. This is the Earth responding to human actions that have long placed us at the center. It is what scientists define as the ‘anthropocene,’ a theory suggesting that human activities have profoundly altered the functioning of the planet and that could mark a new geological era. This scares us because we’re not accustomed to not having control over the planet. We struggle to accept that the Earth is a living, intelligent organism that cannot be subjected to anthropocentric logic. Yet, this reality asserts itself, and that’s why we live in constant tension. What we are experiencing today is a phenomenon of the 21st century, arising because we treated the 20th century as if it were a period where we could be on an industrial binge on the planet." 'It’s not the end, we have several possible futures: Interview with Indigenous author Ailton Krenak with Mongabay
MARCIA KAMBEBA GARCIA
Master of Geography, writer, poet, lecturer and storyteller
I am not an Indian - Don't call me “Indian” because that name never belonged to me. I don't even want it as a nickname A mistake that Columbus made. Due to a navigational error Columbus landed on my soil And in his desire to reach the Indies He nicknamed me “Indian.” That name brings me great pain A bullet pierced my chest My cry echoed through the forest My blood spilled onto the ground. He arrived late, I was already here The caravel docked right there I saw the “white man” climb aboard I hid in my Uka. He came without permission With a cross and a sword in his hand In his eyes, a mission To decimate for civilization. I am not an “Indian.” I am Kambeba, I am Tembé I am Kokama, I am Sataré I am Guarani, I am Arawaté I am Tikuna, I am Suruí I am Tupinambá, I am Pataxó I am Terena, I am Tukano I resist with race and faith Original Text: Índio eu não sou Não me chame de “índio” porque Esse nome nunca me pertenceu Nem como apelido quero levar Um erro que Colombo cometeu. Por um erro de rota Colombo em meu solo desembarcou E no desejo de às Índias chegar Com o nome de “índio” me apelidou. Esse nome me traz muita dor Uma bala em meu peito transpassou Meu grito na mata ecoou Meu sangue na terra jorrou. Chegou tarde, eu já estava aqui Caravela aportou bem ali Eu vi “homem branco” subir Na minha Uka me escondi. Ele veio sem permissão Com a cruz e a espada na mão Nos seus olhos, uma missão Dizimar para a civilização. “Índio” eu não sou. Sou Kambeba, sou Tembé Sou Kokama, sou Sataré Sou Guarani, sou Arawaté Sou Tikuna, sou Suruí Sou Tupinambá, sou Pataxó Sou Terena, sou Tukano Resisto com raça e fé
