A spirit that carries ancestry, dwelling amid the urbanization of Rio de Janeiro, in the Zona Norte. The Maracanã village endures even after years of indigenous genocide, fighting to take possession of something that has belonged to them since long before 1500.
Image taken from "https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2013/04"
Image description: This is a photograph of an abandoned interior, with walls covered in colorful graffiti. On the left, we see a wall with drawings of flowers and geometric shapes. In the center, there is an open door revealing an outdoor space with several blue and red tents. On the right, closer to the camera, there is another wall with more graffiti and a metal sign hanging on it. The floor is worn and stained, with pieces of paper and other debris scattered about.The São Cristóvão neighborhood was originally settled by Tamoio indigenous people who later fought alongside the French against the Portuguese colonists. The latter, taking advantage of the Tamoios' historical enmity with the Temiminós, allied themselves with them and seized the land in a battle called Uruçumirim (1567).
Since then, the territory has been continuously stolen. Aldeia Maracanã now occupies a building that once housed the Museu do Índio, but which was left abandoned after the museum was relocated to the neighborhood of Botafogo (South Zone) in the 1970s. Since 2006, the building has been occupied by multiple peoples. The site is considered sacred and now shelters about 20 families who live without any assistance from the State. With limited access to electricity and other basic rights, the village defends itself against evictions and police invasions, sharing its history through courses, visits, and public classes held on site.
Image taken from "https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2013/04"
Image description: This is a photograph of a group of people wearing traditional, possibly indigenous, attire, dancing around a bonfire. The scene appears to be outdoors, with natural light coming in through a window on the left. The figures are arranged in a curve, with some dancing closer to the camera and others farther away. The focus is on the central fire, where flames dance intensely. The colors are predominantly natural, with shades of green and brown in the people's attire.Being a hub that houses a collection of writings, handicrafts, and textile pieces, Aldeia Maracanã is filled with the most diverse cultures, and is therefore characterized as multiethnic.
One of the biggest ironies regarding the property would be the rumor that, during the dictatorship, it had already been used by clandestine military groups for torture and execution sessions. Although this information is not confirmed by documented data, there are structural features that support the theory: reinforced basements, for example.
This makes the occupation of the site even more symbolic, showing just how many memories an environment can hold. One of the accounts we were able to access was that of Cláudio Muniz, a researcher at Fiocruz: he recounts that he had the opportunity to bring frozen bottles to the site to help support the power system, which was precarious due to the lack of state assistance. He also says he became aware of a course on medicinal herbs and notes that the place had a very calm and welcoming atmosphere.
Image taken from agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
Image description: This is a photograph of two people in an urban setting. The person on the left is wearing a knitted hat and appears to be looking at the other person. The person on the right is dressed in traditional Indigenous attire, holding a bow and arrow. Both are in an abandoned structure, with damaged roofs and plants growing amid the rubble. In the background, there is a modern building with metal structures.It brings great sadness to know that there are people being treated as strangers in their own land, but it brings hope to think about the courage of their spirits, which refuse to give in even after so much struggle. It is essential to protect native peoples, as they are essential to maintaining the balance of our world and need all the support possible.
Image taken from agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
Image description: The image is a photograph of two people raising their arms in an outdoor setting. On the left, there is a figure with short hair wearing light-colored clothing. On the right, there is another person with longer hair wearing dark clothing. Both are standing on a raised platform, with a stone structure and vegetation in the background. The sky is blue with a few white clouds.We hope this text has led to a greater understanding of these peoples' lives in an urban context and that the desire to keep the memory of the village alive has blossomed in your mind. It is very important to internalize that not respecting nature is not respecting yourself.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: References
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