Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
As one descends to the underground floor at Instituto Cervantes,a calm environment prevails. At the gallery,colourful pictures of tribes adorn its walls,almost bringing life into the room. These pictures,by European photographer and documentary filmmaker Maureen Bisilliat,explore the life and ceremonies of 15 separate tribes living along the Xingu River,a tributary of the 2,000-kilometre-long Amazon,in Brazil. The pictures document the daily activities and ceremonial rituals of these indigenous people,such as the one where they can be seen harvesting blood red urucum berries and preparing a concoction out of them,which they use to paint their bodies. Another picture shows a woman intricately weaving a belt with her bare hands,which is a sign of their marital status.
The exhibition Xingu: Spirit Papers from Another World was a result of Bisilliats encounter with Orlando Villas Boas and his brother Claudio. They were Brazilian activists who successfully worked to get the people and land of the Upper Xingu protected legally. They first introduced her to the people of this region and that is how her photographic journey with these tribesmen began. In her note,the 82-year-old photographer says,They knew that these tribesmen must participate in economic activities without losing their tribal unity,the wisdom of their culture and their traditional ceremonies. Therefore,they fought for their survival.
The photographs depict the importance of nature,which is intrinsic to their culture. Her note on the wall reads,They are endangered by the sand shifting from their river,by the pollution in their water and by fires resulting from the new agricultural methods practiced by people.
The exhibition is on display at Instituto Cervantes till July 10. Contact: 43681900
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
