Yanomami Tribe

The Yanomami tribe lived in harmony with  their environment in the Rainforest of the Amazon. The discovery of Gold, however, has dramatically affected their environment, therefore changing their lives forever.


Yanomami using a knife


The land occupied by the Yanomami has been ruined by gold miners, looking for gold. Miners have used high powered jets and mercury which has degraded the soil and poisoned the river. Eroded soil has destroyed Yanomami crops and poisoned water has defleted their main food supplies. Thus, the Yanomami's land has been ruined by the miners.

Yanomami boy in Hospital

Miners have introduced new diseases for which the Yanomami have no immunity. Nearly 1/2 of the Yanomami population has died out from disease since miners came into the area. Hospitals have now been built to treat sick tribe members which was not needed before. Therefore the Yanomami have suffered since mining has occurred.

Miner panning for Gold

Exposure to city people has given the Yanomami access to modern tools and technology. The Yanomami have began to use tools such as knives, and some Yanomami have also started to wear more clothing. Their tools mean that their stone- age lifestyle has been changed forever. Thus, exposure to new technology has cahanged their lifestyle forever.

Overall, the Yanomami Tribe has been affected dramatically by the interaction with the outside world. Ever since gold was found in the area of the Yanomami, there land has been ruined by all of the pollution, diseases and mercury bought in by the miners. Their land will never get rid of all of the diseases, mercury and other poisonous materials that has now infested their area.

Gold Bullion and Coins