Spirit of the Amazon

Incredibly it has been almost 30 years since Sue Cunningham and I first shared a visit to the Xingu. We were younger then, and filled with hope for the future of our Kayapó friends. We were encouraged by the recently-adopted 1988 Brazilian constitution which explicitly recognised the rights of all of Brazil’s indigenous peoples. Great things have been achieved since then. By setting up the Rainforest Foundation we persuaded the Brazilian government to establish the Menkragnoti Indigenous Territory, which is twice the size of Wales, back in 1991. By 2012 deforestation had fallen to its lowest level since records began, and nowadays there are many well-qualified indigenous teachers, nurses, even lawyers and town councillors, all working for their communities. Our indigenous friends are more confident in the strength of their culture and in their own spiritual values. Sue and Patrick have never ceased to fight for the rights of indigenous people by dedicating their time to raise public awareness of the challenges facing them, and working tirelessly to support the Indians at every step. This book charts the changes in the lives and fortunes of these incredible people. It focuses on their humanity and on their individuality. It shows that they are people, just as we are people, and not simply exotic objects. It tells us that they have a fundamental right to our respect, and that we have an obligation to protect their land, their environment and their chosen way of life. But the book is a timely reminder that Brazil’s indigenous people live under constant threat. In the last five years deforestation has crept upwards again, reaching dangerous levels which threaten to undermine global efforts to curb climate change, and recently the politics of Brazil has turned against its indigenous peoples. Demarcation of their lands has ground to a halt and there are powerful moves to remove many of the rights recognised in the 1988 constitution. - Sting
“This book charts the changes in the lives and fortunes of these incredible people. It focuses on their humanity and on their individuality. It shows that they are people, just as we are people, and not simply exotic objects. It tells us that they have a fundamental right to our respect, and that we have an obligation to protect their land, their environment and their chosen way of life.” - Sting
As someone who has travelled extensively in the Amazon forest and amongst Its native peoples this book brings back so many memories for me. The Cunningham’s journey down the Xingu River was no easy task, but they achieved and recount here an epic journey that so vividly describes their adventures, the Amazon rainforest and particularly the inhabitants with whom they have such a special relationship. - Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS
Sue and Patrick Cunningham’s vision of the indigenous peoples of the Xingu river basin is unique in many ways. They were the first outsiders ever to take six months descending the full length of that mighty Amazon tributary. On that epic and many other journeys, they had permission to visit almost fifty villages, of a wide variety of tribes. They were welcomed as old friends, so could join in everyday life, shamanic rituals, and spectacular festivals. They were accomplished photographers and observers. And they were seeing Brazilian Indians at a fascinating time in their transition from traditional to more modern society. - Dr John Hemming CMG