The A’uwẽ-Xavante people's denunciation of megaprojects in Brazil
An Indigenous-led campaign denounces the impacts of a mega railway project and demands respect for territory, self-determination, and the right to live and dream.
The A'uwẽ-Xavante people of Brazil's Centre-West region have denounced megaprojects that threaten their survival. With a population of approximately 25,300 people, the A'uwẽ-Xavante have a deep spiritual connection to their land, known as Ró. This concept encompasses not only physical territory but also the spiritual and political conditions that sustain their existence.
Dreaming, a crucial aspect of their cultural life, is deeply intertwined with their survival. Anthropologist Laura Graham's research reveals that dreams serve as a medium for transmitting knowledge from ancestors to the living, fostering community unity and cultural continuity. However, the A'uwẽ-Xavante leaders fear that recent megaprojects - including the construction of the Center-West Integration Railway (FICO) - will fragment their territory and disrupt the delicate balance that sustains their dreaming, hunting, gathering, fishing, and ceremonial practices.
The FICO project, which is touted as a strategic route for freight transport, is seen by the A'uwẽ-Xavante as a direct threat to their rights and the integrity of Ró. They demand the protection of their territorial rights to ensure the continuity of their existence and cultural heritage.
Written by urgent.news from Global Voices Brazil's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
