The organisation Fodors Travel offers expert travel content for over 80 years, with local writers and vacation experts offering travel advice and recommendations about worldwide destinations. They also provide an overview of arts, history, and culture in different regions. In one of these overviews about Brazil, they made a call to support Indigenous people – especially women – in Brazil, who are struggling to overcome the impacts of the pandemic. The remote Indigenous population living in the forests are among the most affected by the virus. The coronavirus is not only affecting people’s health but is threatening the survival of the tribe’s traditions, culture and spiritual knowledge – notably passed on by the elders. Since the beginning of the pandemic many tribal elders have been victims of the virus, which prevents their cultural legacy (usually oral traditions) from being passed on, representing a huge cultural loss to the indigenous communities.

There is, however, another problem brought by the pandemic. The difficulties of indigenous women artisans to sell their artwork, a key aspect of their culture and the main source of income for these tribes. The region is home to 16 different ethnic groups who survive from online selling of their hand-made pieces. The artist and activist from the Indigenous Xingu reserve, Kaiti Yawalapiti, calls attention to avoid buying from predatory sellers (who intermediate the selling and make huge profits over it) and also stressed the importance of supporting and buying indigenous art. by doing so, people will not only help to supplement their income but also preserve the local culture.

Call to support Brazilian Indigenous artisans https://www.fodors.com/world/south-america/brazil/experiences/news/brazils-indigenous-women-artisans-are-struggling-right-now-and-you-can-help

Support and buy indigenous art at: @kaiti_artes