Transforming the Traditional: Indigenous Amazonian Resource Regimes and Resource Capture by External Actors -The Case of Brazil's Kayapo

Abstract

The indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon are often viewed as the inevitable losers in the ongoing struggle over the fate of the region's natural resources. This article examines a recent case of conflict over resource use between the Gorotire Kayapo and external interests seeking to develop gold, timber, and hydroelectric resources on traditional Kayapo territory. The case is explored in terms of four hypotheses regarding patterns of conflict between indigenous peoples and external interests in the Amazonian context. It is argued that ifan indigenous group gradually develops links to the external political economy prior to experiencing large-scale resource capture by external actors, it may be able to successfully assert authority over its traditional resource base. However, this success is dependent on transformation of the traditional indigenous resource regime, which, in turn, tends to undermine the cohesion of the indigenous group.