Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau
The Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau are an indigenous people of Brazil, living in the state of Rondônia.
They live in six villages on the borders of the Uru-Eu-Uaw-Uaw Indigenous Territory, which is shared by two other contacted groups, the Amondawa and Uru Pa In, the latter who speak a Chapacuran language, as well as the Jurureí, Parakua, and two uncontacted tribes whose names are not known.
Name
The Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau people call themselves Jupaú. They are also known as the Amondawa, Bocas-negras, Bocas-pretas, Cabeça-vermelha, Cautários, Sotérios, Urupain, as well as Jupaú, Black-Mouths, Red-Heads, Urueu-Wau-Wau.History
The Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau came into contact with non-Natives, specifically the National Indian Foundation in 1981. The subsequent introduction of diseases, and violent attacks by outsiders, caused a drastic decrease in population from the initially estimated count of fewer than 1,000.Rubber harvesters disputed FUNAI's demarcation of Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau lands. In 1991, one of the world's largest known tin deposits was discovered in Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau lands.
After 1993 their population began increasing again. The Uru-Eu-Uaw-Uaw Indigenous Territory was established by the Brazilian government to protect the tribes and only Indians can legally live in the indigenous territory; however, loggers and miners have regularly invaded their lands. In the 2022 documentary The Territory, released by National Geographic, Bitaté, an Indigenous leader of the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, stated the population was approximately 180.
Missionaries are active among the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, and an non-governmental organization called Kanindé is trying to fight outside influences and assimilationists on the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau.