The Yanomami Way of Life: A Need of the Hour

Being the homo sapiens of the 21st century, most of us are so modernized (or westernized) in our ways that we often forget about the existence and crucial importance of traditions around us, barely surviving in the forests away from our blind eyes, perhaps. 

A tribe which goes by the name Yanomami happens to be one of them. It's amusing to think that even after lacking many of the resources we consider essential, they live in a way which not only saves the near future but also allows them to accept and acknowledge each other thus leading to beautiful harmony. 

 

Who are the Yanomami people?

The word, ‘Yanomami’ means human being. They’re basically the largest isolated tribe in South America (more specifically, Brazil and Venezuela). Like most tribes on the continent, they possibly migrated across the Bering Straits between Asia and America some 15,000 years ago, making their way slowly down to South America. Currently, their total population stands at around 38,000. They’re passionate hunters who prioritize balance above anything else.

Having survived a history rich in exploitation, deadly diseases and genocides with love and compassion, the Yanomamis have some very important lessons to teach us today. Are we willing to learn though?

Daily life

They live in large, communal houses called yanos or shabonos. The central area is used for feasts and games. Food is in abundance and fire is used for warmth (surprising, no?). Some even have dogs or other animals for security from possible threats lurking in the shadows of time.

The yanomamis strongly believe in equality among people. It’s funny how people still tend to look down upon tribes when the word backwardness is brought up. Anyway, each community is independent from the other and they don’t particularly recognize chiefs. The more amazing part? Every decision is taken by consensus after long debates and discussions.

The men are supposed to hunt. However, they never eat the meat they’ve killed but, they share it with their friends and family. In return, they’re given meat by another hunter. Women are responsible for farming and nurturing of crops.

Knowledge

When I say that we can do A LOT if only we’re to gain half the knowledge about nature that the Yanomamis have, it’d be absolutely true. Not only do they possess an intricate knowledge of their surroundings but also respect it enough to not take more than is necessary. Gandhi would’ve been very proud.

They’ve a solution to almost every medical issue which is, obviously, not brought in by outside forces.

 

What I’ve learned from these incredible homo sapiens-

The basic necessity of observing the world we live in. Often, we’re so possessed by the rush of daily life that we forget to pause, take a deep breath and actually look around or simply analyze the destruction towards which we’re headed. The Yanomami people have taught me that it’s important to survive, yes, but then again, it’s only important to survive and not succumb to greed.

They’ve taught me that in a world which is constantly changing and maybe not positively, it’s important to stand up for and live the life I believe in. It is important to recognize the relationship between the plants and the animals, to appreciate the beauty of nature instead of destroying it, and to, most importantly, treat every single life with equal respect and gratitude. 

I’d say it’s time to be an actual human being now. You in?