Since the eighteenth century, the indigenous peoples of Raposa-Serra do Sol have fought for their land rights against waves of violent invasions, colonisation and attempts to resettle them. Against all odds they have managed to hold on to their ancestral land.

Makuxi children at Uiramutã, Raposa Serra do Sol, Brazil © 1996 Fiona Watson/Survival

Cattle ranchers occupied their land in the 20th century setting up large ranches which were routinely patrolled by gunmen who subjected Indians to much violence – at least 20 Indians were assassinated in the 1980s and 1990s.

Wildcat miners also illegally invaded in the territory prospecting for gold and diamonds, which resulted in pollution of rivers and tensions with communities.

More recently despite protests from the Indians, several small towns have been built by settlers in the area, and the military have built a barracks right next to the indigenous community of Uiramutã.

In 1996 a large group of farmers invaded Raposa-Serra do Sol to plant rice fields. They used large amounts of pesticides which leaked in to the rivers and streams used by the Indians for bathing, cooking and drinking water.

In the last decade they have resorted to terrorist-like tactics, destroying indigenous property, threatening leaders and setting fire to indigenous schools.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in 2009 which recognises Raposa-Serra do Sol as one single indigenous territory, the rice farmers and ranchers have left the area.

Today the indigenous peoples of the Land of the Fox and Mountain of the Sun now live in peace on their land and are developing their own education and health projects.