Loggers 'Burn Child Alive' in Amazon (Video)

A Brazilian NGO has alleged that Amazonian loggers ‘burned alive’ a child from uncontacted members of the Awá tribe.

CIMI (Conselho Indigenista Missionário) say that members of the neighboring Guajajara tribe, which also inhabits the area, have said that they came across the burned remains of an Awá child in the forest, following an attack by loggers.

Guajajara sometimes sees the Awá in the forest whilst hunting, but have not seen them since the alleged attack and believe that they have fled.

Luis Carlos Guajajaras told Brazil’s Terra website:

“She was from another tribe, they live deep in the jungle, and have no contact with the outside world. It would have been the first time she had ever seen white men. We heard that they laughed as they burned her to death.”

The incident was in October or November but CIMI have only just learned of it.

The Awá’s land is in Maranhão state in the eastern Amazon.

Although Awá lands have been legally recognized, the Indians are being targeted by loggers, who are bulldozing roads into the forests, and by settlers, who hunt the game the Awá rely on, exposing them to disease and violence. More than a third of their land is believed to have been invaded.

In September an Awá man was reportedly nearly decapitated by loggers. Loggers have also ransacked CIMI offices.

In 2010 a small group emerged from the forest after a local mayor denied that they existed.

Brazil has made substantial progress on curbing deforestation. The rate for 2011 was 78% down on 2004. But that still covers an area the size of Delaware.

Video from Survival International about the Awá.

Related stories:

When Humans Were Zoo Exhibits (Video)

New Pictures of Uncontacted Amazonian Tribe

Brazilian Indian Likely Murdered By Cattle Ranchers

Read more: brazil, deforestation, indians, Indigenous peoples, logging

Picture by leoffreitas

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Leigh E.

6:04AM PDT on Apr 30, 2012

Ann F.

I don't understand your comment. For one thing the Awa AREN'T wearing clothes, only loincloths, and second WHITE man didn't invent clothes in the first place. Tribes have had the ability to make their own clothes long before white man came on the scene.

Anyway, what's important is that we act now. I was completely unaware of these goings on, so thanks for the info, and let's help Colin Firth with his campaign. If you haven't seen his video, here's the link.

http://www.care2.com/causes/colin-firth-pleads-for-uncontacted-tribes-survival-video.html

send a green star

Kenneth D.

1:36PM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

noted

Judith E.

10:03AM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

Signed, noted & posted to FB!
This has got to STOP!!!!!

Ann F.

8:09AM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

If the Awa haven't seen white man before how come they are wearing clothes?? If these things are really true then the Brazilian government should step in and help them.

Nimue P.

7:46PM PDT on Apr 26, 2012

This is too horrible. Petition signed. Thanks.

Martha E.

9:04AM PDT on Apr 21, 2012

This of course is too awful. The overall picture of indigenous people being invaded, given diseases they have no resistance to, being exploited, is the major problem, and it's up to the Brazilian government to crack down on the ruthless loggers. How can the Awa forgive them?

Manuela B.

11:42PM PDT on Mar 30, 2012

GOD HELP US...

Ans W.

9:12AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

‎"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be determined by the ways it treats it's animals." and humans
Mahatma Gandhi

stacy m.

9:16PM PST on Feb 19, 2012

that is horrible