The Korubo people, an Indigenous group residing in Brazil’s Javari Valley, are navigating the complexities of modern life while striving to maintain their cultural identity. Since that initial contact in 1996, the tribe’s population and way of life have reportedly been radically transformed. As Dr. Lucas Albertoni, Brazil’s chief official for recently contacted peoples, explains, the Korubo aren’t immunologically fragile. This surprising finding punctures widespread stereotypes of vulnerable Indigenous people.
Their dynamic everyday musical experiences embody the intersection of Indigenous practices with contemporary production and technology. The Korubo people were first contacted by Sydney Possuelo in 1996, with a total of 127 individuals documented across four villages during encounters in 1996, 2014, and 2015. This early contact sparked a long and brutal transformation for the Korubo people. Their lands have consistently been under attack from national intruders such as rubber tappers and loggers.
Xuxu’s home village lies at a confluence of the Ituí and Itaquaí rivers. In travelling the country, he’s been able to witness those changes unfold right before his eyes. Now, his community enjoys 24/7 access to high-speed Internet service, which they use to stay connected and informed. Providing this kind of access has proven life-changing for many Korubos, particularly those who want to stay connected with the outside world.
Like many indigenous peoples of the Amazon, in addition to violent conflict, the Korubo have suffered from diseases spread by the other colonial contact. All preventable deaths, every illness experienced – flu, pneumonia, and ammonia leading to death and dehydration – across four infants in the last year. Takvan, another community member, explained that they suffer from health hazards when taking trips to other cities within the state.
“We don’t like it here in the city. We come down here from the village and sometimes catch another disease,” – Takvan
Even now, members of Korubo community are still adjusting to the modern realities. They are eager to have solar panels introduced so they can offer electricity for lights, charging phones, and easing their access to the internet. Xuxu shows just how vital seamless connectivity is to their health and well-being.
“Before mobile phones, before the internet, when someone was taken to the hospital in the city – my son, my brother – we wanted to know how they are. Are they better or worse? How do we find out? That’s why we have mobile phones now, and we want Starlink,” – Txitxopi
Though these innovations over the years have made sustained growth possible, important practices like hunting and farming continue to be integral facets of their culture. Younger generations are showing more and more opposition to these preferred practices. With this shift comes a worry of deepening long-term economic sustainability cuts to their way of life.
Complicating things are local, and sometimes national, battles over limited educational resources. Seatvo expressed that it was the community’s deep frustration about transient teachers who do not sufficiently educate the children.
“We are tired of teachers who stay for only three months and then leave,” – Seatvo
Dr. Albertoni understands that fine line between contemporary influences and traditional lifestyles. He insists that maintaining the Korubo’s isolation is key to their survival.
“The least we can do is to keep a respectful distance. Leave them alone. If the state wants to do something good for isolated people, it should preserve their isolation. Protect nature so that they can live as they always have,” – Dr. Lucas Albertoni
The burden of the colonial history of their contact only compounds the issues they face. Since the late 1800s, outside forces have systematically invaded the Korubo’s territory. Through this invasion they have lost their lands and sovereignty and cultural independence has been made all but impossible.
Suriani, an anthropologist who has spent considerable time with the Korubo people, highlights their resilience and uniqueness in a rapidly changing world.
“When you spend time living with them in the villages, you see what a strong, completely unique people they are,” – Suriani
Assuming they have survived the contagion, the Korubo today fight to survive as a people while adapting to modernity. Xuxu hopes to be a teacher one day. He just wants to see his community thrive, and to help the next generation deal with the uncertain waters of this new reality.