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10
May in Manchester
Amazonian Chief to speak outside Brazil for 1st time on preserving
dying culture and language
The
University of Manchester’s Centre for Latin American
Cultural Studies and the School of Languages, Linguistics
and Cultures will host a rare opportunity for the public
to meet and talk with three members of Brazil’s
Suya community on 10 May. The Suya have sent representatives
outside of Brazil only once before in their long history
as a people, and this will be the first time Brazilian
Indians have travelled outside of their country for
more than 100 years. |
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The
Suya community live in the Xingu National park in Brazil,
and three Suya, including their Chief, will be visiting the
UK and Germany in order to speak about the endangerment of
their language and culture, and to suggest ways in which interested
people can help them preserve their way of life.
Dan
Everett, Professor of Phonetics and Phonology at The University
of Manchester is currently funded by both the Economic and
Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities
Research Board (AHRB) to study endangered languages, and funding
from both grants is allowing the visit from the Suya community.
Professor
Everett commented: “The Suya people, their language
and culture, have survived for centuries but their very way
of life is threatened by outside influences, for example,
encroachment on their territory by large-scale farming and
growing contact with the economic pull of Western civilisation.
“The
Chief of the village, Kuissi, is so concerned with the endangerment
of the Suya culture and languages that he now feels it necessary
to begin developing long-term friendships and relationships
with international partners.”
It’s
hoped that the visit will establish charitable donations which
will help the Suya to set up local initiatives aimed at sustaining
their way of life. These will include purchasing a vehicle
so the Suya can patrol their reservation, and, working through
government-approved organisations in Brazil, establishing
a sustainable industry, such as honey production and fish
farming. These efforts will allow the Suya to begin defending
their territory and culture from outside influences.
Professor
Everett’s key research goals are to establish a written
grammar of the Suya language, and to write a dictionary. These
will pave the way for the development of educational resources
for the Suya to enable them to record and preserve their own
language.
With
only 200 Suya in the world the event offers a unique experience
for both the Suya community and the public.
Kuissi
and members of his community will be available for interview
in Manchester on 9 May. There will also be a photo opportunity
of the Suya arriving at Manchester Airport on 7 May at approximately
5.25pm.
For
further information, and to arrange an interview
or confirm attendance at the photo opportunity please contact
Jo Grady, Media Relations Officer at The University of Manchester
on +44 161 275 2018, or at jo.grady@manchester.ac.uk
Tuesday,
3 May
Amazonian
Chief speaks on cultural survival
"Our people, our language, our culture" |
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Kuiussi
Suya, chief of the Suya of the Xingu Park of Brazil will speak
on the endangerment of the culture and language of his people.
Today, there are only 378 Suya living in the Xingu Park under
the protection of the Brazilian government.
This is a rare opportunity to hear this charismatic and forceful
speaker, as the Suya have only sent representatives out of
Brazil once before in their history.
Kuissi
will speak at the SOAS Brunei Gallery at 7.00pm on Tuesday
May 3rd.
Additionally
there will be a talk on music and culture by the visiting
group at 5.15pm. All welcome.
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The
Brunei Gallery is located between Malet Street and Thornhaugh
Street, in the north-west corner of Russell Square opposite
SOAS.
Further
info:
E-mail:
zp2@soas.ac.uk
Web: www.soas.ac.uk
http://www.socioambiental.org/e
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