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| Silvino Moreira: The Guarani chief called a curfew after two teens committed suicide. Sara Miller Llana |
After teen suicides, an Argentine tribe outlaws 'white' vices
In a tropical corner of Argentina, a Guarani chief has set a 7 p.m. village curfew and prohibited alcohol.
from the November 2, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Those in Fortin Mborore say that already, just a month into the experiment, family life has improved. "The adolescents need to sleep more and go to church, not drink and fight," says Maria Felipa Espindola, Victoriano Espindola's mother. "Now we are all together. There is more happiness."
Residents in the neighboring Mbya Guarani community of Yriapu – one of two in this immediate area – say they haven't experienced the same problems as Fortin Mborore. Raúl Correa says they still drink in their community but that it's always responsibly done. Whereas Fortin Mborore stopped their traditions, such as dancing, Yriapu didn't. He says it's in part because their community of 300 is much smaller. Even though he can't see his friends from Fortin Mborore in the evenings anymore, he supports the effort. "This is a preventive measure. The suicides could happen again," he says.
IN many ways Moreira's measures have been just as hard for him to follow. The cacique has been drinking almost as long as he's been head of this village – some 17 years – but the recent suicides made him realize how dire the situation has become.
"This is a hard change for the teens," he says. "You can't just say something and expect they will do it, you have to do it too," he says. "It's very hard for us. We have to abandon these vices."
Last week, the community voted to extend the quarantine for another 60 days. "My vision is for my people to be free, so they aren't used by white people," says Moreira. He says he doesn't blame white culture but his tribe's inability to resist it.
Despite lofty goals and enthusiasm, though, it is Moreira who admits that the task ahead will be a tough one.
The police have brought adolescents who sneaked out of the community back home. Some older community members have flat-out refused to participate, says Moreira.
As the sun sets on a Saturday night, the radios go off. Children begin streaming back to their homes. Fires light up and smoke hugs the surrounding forest like morning mist.
There is hardly a sound. And then the Cumbia music comes wailing from a simple home, and Moreira does nothing but shrug.
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