Davi Kopenawa Yanomami

Davi Kopenawa Yanomami
Yanomami at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for the film The Falling Sky
Born
Davi Kobenawä Yanomamö

(1956-02-18) February 18, 1956 (age 68)
Rio Toototobi, Amazonas, Brazil
OccupationShaman

Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, name also written Davi Kobenawä Yanomamö (born Toototobi, Brazil, c. 1956), is a Yanomami shaman and Portuguese-speaking spokesperson for the Yanomami People in Brazil. He became known for his advocacy regarding tribal issues and Amazon rainforest conservation when the tribal rights organization Survival International invited him to accept the Right Livelihood Award on its behalf in 1989. In 2019, Yanomami and the Hutukara Yanomami Association were also awarded the Right Livelihood Award. Yanomami spoke to both the British and Swedish parliaments about the catastrophic impact on Yanomami health as a consequence of the illegal invasion of their land by 40,000 ‘garimpeiros’ or goldminers. Prince Charles publicly called the situation ‘genocide’.[1] In a seven-year period from 1987 to 1993 one fifth of the Yanomami died from malaria and other diseases transmitted by the miners.[2]

His nickname ‘Kopenawa’ (hornet) was given to him in recognition of his ability to fight for his people.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales titled The Rainforest Lecture for Friends of the Earth, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". princeofwales.gov.uk. 6 February 1990. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  2. ^ "Disinherited – Indians in Brazil" (PDF). Survival International. 2000.