Kayapó leaders, artists from Brazil to visit Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Kayapó filmmakers from the Central Brazilian Amazon are visiting Purdue University in early March.

There will be a public film screening and discussion of Kayapó documentaries at 12-1:20 p.m. Tuesday (March 6) in Recitation Hall, Room 307. A welcome reception will take place later in the day from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in Beering Hall, Room 1284.

There will be another public film screening and discussion at 11:30-12:20 p.m. on Wednesday (March 7) in Smith Hall, Room 108, during a class taught by Kory Cooper.

Both screenings and discussions are open to the public.

The Kayapó people are indigenous tribe in Brazil, residing in one of the largest tropical protected areas in the world. Laura Zanotti, an associate professor of anthropology, has been working with the Kayapó people for more than 10 years. Zanotti is an environmental anthropologist who partners with communities to better understand how local, mostly rural, livelihoods and well-being can be sustained for future generations. 

Kayapó filmmakers are visiting Purdue to feature artistic and documentary productions from tribal members and highlight their role in addressing some of the world’s grand challenges their communities face, like conservation.

The Kayapó visitors include:

* Pat-i Kayapó is a filmmaker in the community of A'ukre, serving as a leader and organizer of a group of men and women filmmakers. He enjoys making films, participating in community life, and documenting Kayapó culture.

* Bepunu Mebêngôkre is a filmmaker from the village of Moikarakô. His films document Kayapó ceremonies, political events, and interactions with the outside world through a focus on change and cultural persistence. 

Writer: Kelsey Schnieders Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu

Media contact: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Laura Zanotti, lzanotti@purdue.edu