História indígena no Alto Paranapanema (1802-1912)

a disputa pela terra e a exploração do trabalho indígena

Abstract

This essay deals with the encounter between the white colonizer or troop merchant and the indigenous ethnic groups “Guarani” and “Kaingang” who lived in the region of the high Paranapanema river during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The main focus is centered on the exploitation of native labor force and on the expropriation of their lands by the colonizer whose objective was to expand the conquered territory in order to establish agricultural bases. Here, São João Batista do Rio Verde, the largest and most important indian nucleous in the province of São Paulo, is analyzed as a way to show how “guarani” labor force was used in exploration expeditions into Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul (1845-1852). As historical and anthropological supporting data, two complementary narratives are devoloped: a) the war against the “Kaingangs” from Troops Road, and b) the migration of the “Guaranis” from regions in Paraguay and Mato Grosso do Sul to the Paranapanema valley seeking the “Land Without Evil” .The purpose of this indian strategy was to avoid contact with the colonizer.