The Dossier from the perspective of Katxuyana and Kahyana leaders today: we still exist, we did not give up, we are many yanas

Abstract

This chapter reports the perspectives of Angela Amanakwa Kaxuyana, Mauro Mïkaho Tiriyó Katxuyana, and Juventino Pesirima Junior – contemporary indigenous leaders whose ancestors occupied the region of the Cachorro and Trombetas rivers, concurrently with the production of the German texts – on this Dossier. The leaders discuss the contribution of these historical records about their ancestors, their way of living, their rituals, the diversity of their material culture, and, mainly, the territorial occupation. They also realize that the texts produced by Kruse, Polykrates, and Detering, which make up this Dossier, carry the mark of their time, especially for addressing a common concern: that these people would disappear. After overcoming countless adversities, these peoples (or yanas), their families and relatives contradict these predictions, resisting and struggling to defend their territorial rights and to promote the recognition of their cultures.