XAWARA: the Covid-19 and the epidemic traces of Anhanguera coloniality

Abstract

This article deals with the violence of epidemics and Covid-19 for
indigenous peoples in Brazil. It shows that, throughout history, in specific cases,
contamination by infectious diseases has characterized genocidal processes that have
caused suffering and death that are repeated today, enhanced by Covid-19. The lack of
possibilities for satisfying material and spiritual needs - related to the guarantee of
constitutionalized territorial, identity, cultural and self-government rights -, together
with the current government's absence of social policies and practices for the
unconstitutionalization of indigenous rights, contribute to the configuration of the called
“everyday genocides”. On the other hand, in addition to the genocidal consequences,
they reinforce colonial attitudes and actions with fatal consequences for the lives of
indigenous peoples today and their projection for the future.