Culture Shock: a Spate of Indian Suicides in Mato Grosso do Sul

This article describes the disintegration of Brazil’s tribal culture, and the resulting suicides of at least 74, mostly teenage, Indians from 1989 to 1991. The National Indian Foundation, FUNAI, found the Indians needed more land and more dignity. Today, they live on relatively small reserves, and FUNAI is teaching them new farming methods. This is not expected to decrease the suicide rate, as the young Indians see little future for themselves. (0 refs.) (VM)