Indigenous firefighters combatting fires in Guarani territory, June 2020. In the face of the devastating mega fires that have ravaged Brazil, the Guarani people took up the fight to protect their land and ecosystem. Despite lacking proper equipment and training, they confronted the flames relying solely on their dedication.
The Guarani indigenous land in Jaraguá, São Paulo, is surrounded by rapid urban expansion and faces relentless pressure from real estate speculation. The five villages situated around the Jaraguá peak are actively striving to protect one of the last remains of Atlantic Forest within the urban landscape.
Man prays and smokes the traditional Petygua pipe during Arapyaú, the Guarani New Year. This day, which coincides with the beginning of spring, is marked by ceremonies that symbolize the renewal of spirits and nature, setting the stage for the upcoming season of new plantings.
A Guarani child rests among the tree trunks cut down by a real estate development project in their village in Jaraguá, São Paulo.The Guarani Mbya indigenous culture adopts an integrated worldview, where the social and environmental realms, as well as nature and culture, are inseparable. Their presence and way of life are intrinsically connected to the forest. By residing and persisting on their ancestral lands, they actively contribute to environmental preservation.
A shaman smokes and prays during Arapyau, the Guarani New Year. This day, which symbolizes the beginning of spring, is marked by ceremonies that encompass the revitalization of spirits and nature, laying the foundation for the forthcoming season of new plantings.
Anthony Karai, 21, teaches online Guarani language classes from his home in Tekoa Pyau Village, located in the North Zone of São Paulo. The classes are targeted towards a group of non-indigenous individuals who pay a monthly fee for the lessons. Karai, a historian, intellectual, and Guarani teacher, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Guarani community.
An unidentified Guarani Mbyá warrior raises a flag crafted from discarded plastic at the top of Pico do Jaraguá, the highest geographic point in São Paulo, Brazil, on June 30, 2021. This protest, featuring hundreds of indigenous ancestral inhabitants from surrounding villages, aimed to disrupt the signal of telephone and television communication antennas as a means to bring attention to the encroachment on indigenous territorial rights.
