Wilfred Paulse photographs

Cultural Exchange with Brazilian Indians from Alto Xingu

Kuikuro bows and arrows.

This cultural exchange takes place every year during April and May when 50 indians are hosted by Regina Fonseca, the owner of the ranch Toca da Raposa near Juquitiba in the state of São Paulo , Brazil, for a few weeks.

Photographing indigenous peoples, for me, is my contribution to maintaining a record of their culture and activities. These images of indigenous indians are not for sale nor should they be reproduced without my consent together with that of the people the images portray. Please respect our rights.

Agihiga leading Uruá flute players.

Samira breastfeeding on mum Arumi.

"TOCA DA RAPOSA has been carrying out this project for 14 years aiming at the cultural exchange between our society and the Indian peoples, particularly those of High Xingu; it keeps a structure to host them for certain periods, promoting the exchange through monitored visits and didactic classes with the visiting groups.

The Indians were invited by the educator Regina Fonseca, to share their knowledge and habits with the visitors of"ALDEIA DA TOCA", a replication of their natural habitat.

From April to mid May, 50 Indians, among children, youths and adults are received, making exchanges of extreme importance to enhance the Indian culture value, both for the Indians and the men from the city.Such action requires human and financial resources, and to that end, they sell their handicraft raising funds to support the tribe, an incentive for the Indian art continuity and dissemination of their culture.

"The action sincerity generated the recognition of the help, and accordingly the cultural respect between Toca da Raposa and the Kuikuros from the Xingu Indian Land (TIX)"

Regina Fonseca"

source: http://www.tocadaraposa.com.br