Symbol of indigenous resistance in Brazil, she became known worldwide in 1989 when she brandished a machete in the face of the then president of Eletronorte
The Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) deeply regrets the passing of Tuíre Kayapó, a historic female leader and symbol of indigenous resistance in Brazil. The gentle warrior, who combined bravery and sweetness, finally rested after bravely facing uterine cancer, at the age of 57.
Born in Kokrajmôrô, heart of the Kayapó Indigenous Land, Tuíre became known worldwide at just 19 years old for her courageous act of brandishing a machete in the face of the then president of Eletronorte, José Antonio Muniz Lopes, in repudiation of the construction of the Kararaô Hydroelectric Plant, which later became known as Belo Monte.
Tuíre Kayapó's iconic gesture took place during the 1989st Meeting of the Indigenous Peoples of the Xingu, in XNUMX, in Altamira (PA), and forever marked the resistance of indigenous peoples against projects that threatened their lives and territories.
“My body represents the machete, and the machete represents my body, as they are a single force. A strength and a fight. A story. I'm a woman, but I have the same determination as a man when it comes to anger. I have the same rights as a man. I'm not afraid of any man. I am not afraid of anyone, because I possess the same strength that you represent to have,” she told Brazil Reporter.
In an interview with the series #ElasQueFlutam, from ISA, she stated: “the forests, the rivers, the indigenous peoples: it is their survival that I defend to this day”. Her image and words helped postpone the construction of the hydroelectric plant for more than 20 years, until its opening in 2015.
Granddaughter of chiefs on both her maternal and paternal sides, Tuire inherited leadership in the fight for her ancestral territory from her family. “I learned everything from my grandparents. They taught me everything. Everything they said, I learned. My grandparents taught me not to let any white person enter the Indian reservation and take up space. They told us, indigenous people, to take care of what is ours and our forest so that it doesn’t get deforested,” she said.
At a time when men were predominantly the main leaders of the indigenous movement, Tuíre stood out as one of the few women to assume this role. She actively participated in defending the territory and culture of her people, being the only woman to go to Brasília with the men to fight for their rights in marches and meetings.
Tuíre was a precursor of indigenous female protagonism, paving the way for, decades later, leaders such as Ô-é Paiakan Kayapó, Sonia Guajajara, Joenia Wapichana and Célia Xacriabá to reach positions of power. “In the past, I was alone, but today I have these warrior women by my side,” she said.
Today, indigenous women are a powerful force in the fight for indigenous rights. In recent years, in addition to actively participating in national mobilizations for indigenous rights, Tuire has dedicated herself to strengthening the protagonism and movement of Kayapó women, inspiring new generations of women with their strength, experience, wisdom and delicacy.
At 19 years old, with a machete in hand, Tuíre Kayapó opened paths, eternalizing the resistance of indigenous peoples in gesture. Now, he inspires new generations to continue the fight, which is permanent, just like her. Tuíre became ancestry.
Tuíre, present!
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