ethnography

 

The ethnographic museum at the university of Sao Paulo proved to contain some real treasures. It's collection of ritual objects and costumes is wonderful. The exhibits still exude power even imprisoned in their glass cases and mounted on rather cheap looking dummies. I had to sign a paper saying I wouldn't publish my photos, but I thought I'd sneak one or two into this blog.

Perhaps more interesting and a more telling about indigeneous people's story in Brazil were the walls of the city on my way to the university.

On the walls of a school, a mural depicts the official church version of the civilising process. The graffiti ideographs encroach and the uiquitous red paint bombs of protest shout perhaps for another version of the story, daubing symbolic blood on the patriarch and his pupils.

Further down the road, a second mural on the side of a shop shows an indigenous man bending to pick up bank notes amongst the severed heads of the dead with a bottle marked poison dangling from his hand.

The display of trial objects in the university museum is at least a tribute to their vitality through adversity and ability to retain the power to enthrall and inspire.