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Matis
Indian Tribe
The Jaguar People - Page 4
of 5
Not only do the
Matis Indians hunt, but they fish as well. However traditionally they do not
use hooks or nets. Instead they rely on their knowledge of the plants of the
jungle. They use a plant called "huaca" which they process by adding the
plant to clay and fermenting it. When added to a body of water such as a
lake, "huaca" depletes the oxygen and the fish float to the surface where
the Matis harvest them.
The Matis natives know many other secrets of the plants of the jungle,
including medicinal uses. If they lose their traditions and only use western
medicine, many of these secrets will be lost and this is precisely why I as
a scientist wish to preserve this important knowledge of plants and preserve
the Matis culture.
Currently, the greatest danger to the Matis tribe is hepatitis. Consequently
I have been working on a project that has been installing clean water
systems (water wells) in indigenous communities in the Javari (Yavarí)
Valley that will help eliminate the threat of hepatitis and parasites which
are currently common sources of illnesses. To combat malaria, I have been
donating microscopes and solar-power energy systems to various isolated
native communities in the Javari River area in order that they themselves
can diagnose and treat malaria. Without their own microscopes, natives are
required to make a long and expensive journey to regional health posts,
often dying before being diagnosed or receiving treatment. Having their own
diagnostic capabilities allow these indigenous Amazonians to be empowered
with their own medical care, and not be dependent on and controlled by
outsiders.
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