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CHAPTER TWO: FAMILY AND FRIENDS
gardens with their children and wander the jungle looking for termite nests
and other insects to eat.
The Kayapo live in the eastern part of the Amazon, in thatched-roof huts
made of palm leaves. Like other tribes, the Kayapos live in large matrilineal fam-
ily groups, or households in which the line of descent is through the mother’s
side of the family. When a man marries, he moves into the house of his wife’s
family, his father-in-law has ultimate authority in the household, and the new
husband must listen to him. While men have the upper hand in Kayapo soci-
ety, young men must still defer to their elders.
THE MAN OF THE HOLE
With a population of 40,000, the Tikuna is the largest Amazon tribe
in Brazil. The smallest tribe consists of one man, whom many believe
is the last survivor of his group. Officials in Brazil became aware of him around
1995 and instituted measures to protect the area he resides in. He lives on his
own, constantly shunning others, some of whom have tried to kill him. People
call him “The Man of the Hole,” because he digs big holes either to trap animals
for food or to hide in.
Chiefs of the Kayapo tribe. From left to right,
Raony (from the state of Mato Grosso), and
Kaye, Kadjor, and Panara (from Pará).
A Yanomami woman and her child.