Coronavirus has swept through tribes, killing elders – and inflicting irreparable damage on tribal history, culture and medicine.
The 64-year-old chief of a Xikrin indigenous village in Brazil’s Amazon was plagued by headaches and fatigue and struggled for breath.
But according to his daughter Bekuoi Raquel, he was afraid that if he were admitted to hospital he might never return.
'Coronavirus could wipe us out': indigenous South Americans blockade villages Read more.
The indigenous organisation Apib has logged at least 332 Covid-19 deaths, and 7,208 coronavirus cases across 110 communities.
On Tuesday the Brazilian congress approved a law aiming to guarantee emergency help for indigenous people that needs presidential approval.
“Our effort is to make community isolation work, to reduce transmission and consequently, serious cases,” said Guilherme Monção, a Sesai doctor. »