Traditional Kayapó villages were organized in three concentric rings around a large plaza. Men live in a central men’s house while women and children reside in the large houses surrounding the plaza.
Ceremonies are generally considered the domain of men, although women are permitted to participate. Women maintain the gardens, which produce the bulk of the food, while men are the hunters. The Kayapó use hardwoods, bamboo, and stingray spines to make their arrowheads and spear points used in traditional hunting.
Over the last twenty years the Kayapó have become political activists to protect their environment and culture. To stop dam construction and gain control of mining and logging revenues, the Kayapó have demonstrated in the capital, used public media, and even threatened violence. |