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Tribe that Time Forgot, The
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
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When Brazilian officials tried to move into the Araras' land,
the Indian tribe fought back with a vengeance, fearing harm to
their culture, territory, economy, and family values. Ask
students to look for examples of this strong reaction. Contrast
the Arara reaction to the government with their reaction to the
journalists who created this episode of NOVA. Why do students
think the Arara reacted so differently to the two-man film crew?
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Reports of an elusive tribe known as the Arara began in the
1800s, but no one was able to find them. In 1950, the Arara were
officially listed as extinct. However, as recently as 1993, a
small community of about 100 Arara were found on the banks of
the Iriri River. Locate the Amazon Basin on a map, and ask
students to think about what conditions made it possible for a
tribe of this size to elude discovery for so many years.
After Watching
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The program explains how the Arara have lived in harmony with
the rain forest for hundreds of years, following a social system
that was laid down many generations before. What do you think
would happen to the land of the Arara if it were to become
inhabited by outsiders? Where would the Arara go? Where would
they hunt?
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The Arara have special practices to heal themselves by
extracting evil spirits that have been known to tear skin,
damage organs, and destroy births. Have the class discuss how in
today's world, with medical technology as advanced as it is, we
could be of use to the Arara. In what ways could we potentially
harm them?
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The practices of sharing and exchange are paramount in the Arara
world. Everyone shares responsibility and ownership for
everything. For instance, the Arara have no word for "thank
you." In a culture where everything is shared, there is no need
for such a term. Discuss how an Arara would fit into your
culture.
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