Indigenous Fire Management in the cerrado of Brazil: The Case of the Krahô of Tocantíns

Abstract

Indigenous peoples have been using fire in the cerrado

Linking well-being with cultural revitalization for greater cognitive justice in conservation: lessons from Venezuela in Canaima National Park

“…2016, similar to what has been reported in the Cerrado savannas in Brazil (Mistry et al 2005). Because fires in the Gran Sabana have been shown to have primarily an anthropic origin, these findings suggest a long-term continuous human presence in the area and an active role of fire (and humans) in shaping and maintaining the landscape.…”

“…As in the case of other indigenous people, such as the aborigines of Kakadu National Park in Australia (Lewis 1989), Pemon use fire to "clean" the landscape and to make it look "beautiful." Also, like other indigenous peoples living in similar environments (Lewis 1989, Fairhead and Leach 1996, Mbow et al 2000, Laris 2002, Moore et al 2002, Mistry et al 2005, McGregor et al 2010, Miller and Davidson-Hunt 2010, Rodriguez et al 2011, the Pemon use a prescribed burning system that involves setting grassland fires during certain times of the year in order to reduce fuel accumulation and thus prevent large, destructive forest fires. Thus, a reduction in the use of fire is perceived by the Pemon as a threat since it may lead to the accumulation of flammable biomass (Rodriguez 2007).…”

Community owned solutions for fire management in tropical ecosystems: case studies from Indigenous communities of South America

“…The timings of fire are also aligned to phases of the moon. Importantly, the numerous uses of fire mean that burning is a relatively constant activity, particularly during the dry season, generally at low levels, thereby helping to prevent the build-up of flammable fuel and incidents of large-scale uncontrollable wildfires [24]. Experimental studies of fire behaviour suggest that this patch mosaic burning not only reduces the occurrence of dangerous fires, but also increases spatial and temporal vegetation heterogeneity and biodiversity [28,29].…”

“…For example, Mistry et al [24] explain how the social structures within the Krahô of Brazil determine the leaders or 'knowledge bearers' for fire, the Wakmejê, who decide on the different aspects of the fire burning regime during the dry season. Every morning at sunrise, the Wakmejê men meet at the centre of the village (the ka) to discuss the day's activities, and depending on the time of the season, the group decides on the course of action.…”

Can savanna burning projects deliver measurable greenhouse emissions reductions and sustainable livelihood opportunities in fire-prone settings?

“…As part of traditional practice, fire is used for such purposes as clearing forest for cultivation and for paths, visual communication, deterring dangerous animals, to facilitate hunting and fishing, to cure illnesses, and to reduce fuel loads for the prevention of large catastrophic fires (Mistry et al 2005;Rodríguez and Sletto 2009;McDaniel et al 2005;FIEB 2007;Bilbao et al 2009;Pivello 2011). 4.2 Potential for emissions abatement fire management projects in south American savannas-an example from Venezuela…”