Karapiru Awá Guajá, survivor of a massacre against his people, dies of Covid-19

Karapiru Awá Guajá (“Gavião”) of the Awa indigenous people died on July 16 in Maranhão state. Described as a skilled hunter, gentle and caring, Karapiru survived the massacre of his people, who were murdered after the discovery of iron ore deposits in their ancestral territory. The invaders killed his wife, son, daughter, mother, brothers, and sisters.

Karapiru then lived for 10 years in the forest alone. Years later, after taking shelter on a farm, the Funai (National Indigenous Foundation) brought an interpreter to communicate with him. Xiramukû, the translator, was his son who had survived. His life was portrayed in the award-winning film, “Mountains of Disorder”, by Andrea Tonacci.

Until the end of his days, Karapiru lived in the Awá community of Tiracambu. He remarried and taught others, using his deep knowledge of the forest. He also, whenever possible, joined the protests against the advance of predatory extractivism on indigenous lands. He died after contracting a Covid-19 infection.