The Yanomami World

The Yanomami live in a large area at the northern end of Brazil and southern Venezuela, known as the Orionco River region. In their mythology, key elements include the discovery of fire, the cycles of night and day, and Makoaue, who is depicted as the creator of the earth.

The Yanomami believe the universe consists of four disc-shaped planes stacked atop one another. At the highest level is the upper sky. Beneath it lies the middle sky, home to the sun, moon, and stars. Below this is the earth, a vast forest known as Urihi, and at the very bottom is the underworld, the remnants of the old earth after the sky collapsed.

Some of us worked on creating models of the Yanomami universe in class, illustrating the four planes of the skies, Urihi, and underworld. We also read about two of their myths from our book.

In our older class, we explored the Yanomami deeper. We discussed the story of David Good, whose mother is from the Yanomami tribe, and how he returned there as an adult and started a nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting the Yanomami people in preserving their culture and protecting their Amazonian homeland. He and his team collaborate with Yanomami leaders to provide essential tools, resources, and intercultural training, focused on sustainable projects and addressing community challenges.

MORE RESOURCES:

The Yanomami Foundation

Brazil: Yanomami Indigenous community risks becoming extinct

For parents - Yanomami Mami / Snap Judgment Podcast, "The Return"

David Good - From Amazon to Garden State