With Maíra, cultural anthropologist and novelist Darcy Ribeiro presents the gripping conflict between an indigenous Amazon jungle tribe and the technological, capitalist West.
One pivotal character: Avá taken away from his tribe when a child by a jovial, talkative missionary; Avá the Mairus tribesman taken away to Rome so he can be made over into a Catholic priest.
The novel opens with the death of old Mairus chieftain Anacá. The next Mairus in line to take over for the chieftain is none other than Avá, currently Father Avá scheduled to pay a return visit to his jungle tribe on behalf of the Catholic church.
In addition to the unfolding drama, the author gives us a vivid sense of the Amazon rainforest exploding with life in all forms. Reading this novel, you'll feel as if you're taking a long trek through the vast, lush Brazilian jungle. Here's a sampling of birdlife contained in one short paragraph. And Maíra is 350 glorious pages!
"Toucans with yellow beaks and golden throats whistle and dance pirouettes over the highest treetops."
"Above them, in the sky, flock the bluest, the reddest, the yellowest birds of all, the great macaw, flying in pairs, jealous, conversing."
"Soon bands of loquacious warblers arrive."
"Then the red-fan parrots, proud of their collars and of their insults to the gossipy parakeets."
"At the edge of the water, chestnut-colored horned screamers cry viu-viu-viu, proclaiming their virginity, armed as they are with double spurs."
"Rusty hoatzins with dentated beaks and sharp pointed wings swing their crested heads from side to side, uttering discordant cries and making a mess around their perches in the thickets of mucca-mucca."
"In the darkness of the forest, self-contained and silent, the squawking of the falcons is suddenly heard, filling animals and men alike with dread."
"Bellbirds clang their hammers on sheets of iron."
"Motionless musical wrens, red and black enchanted sorcerers, sing their melodies to the shadowy forest."
Pick up a copy of Maíra and take your own journey to the heart of the Amazon.
Brazilian anthropologist and novelist Darcy Ribeiro, 1922-1997
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