Historia polityki etnicznej Brazylii – próba ochrony Indian Amazonii
The history of ethnic policy in Brazil: an attempt to save the Amazon Indians

Summary/Abstract: In Brazil, the topic of ethnic policy is being increasingly brought up, especially the situation of Indian tribes. In this article, the history of the phenomenon called sertanism is being placed under scrutiny, from the first contacts with the indigenous people in the 16th century until modern times. When talking about the traditional societies living in the 21th century, we have to consider not only the social issues or economy-based conflicts but also moral problems related to establishing a cultural contact. In the article, it is being demonstrated that the new policy, initiated by Sydney Possuelo, is the only method of saving the Indian culture from complete extinction. It is being done by providing the analysis of the history of interactions between two different cultural systems and by presenting the consequences of such an influence which are visible as early as the first contact occurs.

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