Rogério Assis, the first photographer to come into contact with the indigenous Zo’é people in 1989, returned to the same territory twenty years later. During his first visit, Assis met a people suffering from an epidemic flu brought by a group of Spanish missionaries. In 2009, the reporter witnessed the involvement of Funai, which works to protect the Cuminapanema, Erepecuru and Urucuriana river region. In his book Zo’é, Assis shows the results of the initiative through the daily lives of the indigenous people and its “restored” culture.
L’Oeil de la Photographie: Twenty years passed between your two meetings with the Zo’é people. What changes did you notice?
Rogéria Assis: There were few changes, and all of them were good, especially with regard to the health of the Indians, which had been compromised during the first visit.
What was your relationship like with the Zo’é people?
R.A : I’ve worked with many different ethnic groups, and I’ve never felt the slightest difficulty between us, quite the opposite. I’ve always been welcomed and treated with affection and respect. My encounter with the Zo’é was without a doubt the most meaningful one of my life. The most important things I learned from them are that community must always take precedence over the individual will, and that respect for nature is of fundamental importance when one depends on it for survival.
How did the Brazilian public react to this subject?
R.A : Unfortunately, white middle-class Brazilians are just not interested in native culture. Worse, there are many prejudices and misunderstandings. It’s a shame when you consider that the natives were living here 2,000 years before the Portuguese invasion, and when we get to know the richness and diversity of their culture, as well as their deep respect for nature.
Tell us about publishing the book Zo’é.
R.A : It was very difficult to have this book published. I contacted a dozen companies who spend fortunes to raise awareness about environmental issues, but none of them wanted to support the project. The publication of Zo’é was made possible through my own efforts and the invaluable collaboration of Terceiro Nome, who believed in the project.
Book
Zo’é
Photographs by Rogério Assis
Editions Terceiro Nome
128 pages. 25 x 25 cm
ISBN 978-85-7816-114-9.
Prix : 70 Reais
