Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of cultural change on health and fertility in Amazonian Indian societies: Recent research and projections

  • Published:
Population and Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Allison, M.J., Mendoza, D., & Pezie, K.A. (1973). Documentation of a case of tuberculosis in PreColumbian America.American Review of Respiratory Disease 107, 985–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allison, M.J., Pezzia, A., Hasegawa, I., & Gerszten, E. (1974). A case of hookworm infestation in a Precolumbian American.American Journal of Physical Anthropology 41, 103–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aramburu, C.E. (1982). Expansion de la frontera agraria y demografica de la selva alta Peruana. In C.E. Aramburu, (Ed.).Colonizacion en la Amazonia. Lima: Ediciones CIPA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayres, M. & Salzano, F.M. (1972). Health status of the Brazilian Cayapo Indians.Tropical and Geographical Medicine 24, 178–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker B.J. & Armelagos G.J. (1988). The origin and antiquity of syphilis.Current Anthropology 29(5), 703–737.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckerman, S. (1979). The abundance of protein in Amazonia: A reply to Gross.American Anthropologist 81(3), 533–560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaver P.C., Neel J.V., and Orihel T.C. (1976).Dipetalonema perstans andMansonella ozzardi in Indians of Southern Venezuela.American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 25(2), 263–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bedoya, E. (1981). La destrucción del equilibrio ecológico en las cooperativas del Alto Huallaga. Lima: CIPA, Serie Documento 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Behrens, C. (1981). Time allocation and meat procurement among the Shipibo Indians of Eastern Peru.Human Ecology 9, 189–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman, R. (1980).Amazon economics: The simplicity of Shipibo Indian wealth. Ann Arbor: University Microfilms International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berlin, B., & Berlin, E. (1978). Etnobiología, subsistencia, y nutrición en una sociedad de la selva tropical: Los Aguaruna (Jíbaro). In A. Chirif (Ed.).Salud y nutrición en sociedades nativas. Lima: Centro de Investigatión y Promoción amazónica. pp. 13–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, F.L., et al. (1970). Prevalence of antibody against viruses in the Tiriyo, an isolated Amazon tribe.American Journal of Epidemiology, 91430–438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, F.L. et al. (1974). Evidence for persistence of infectious agents in isolated human populations.American Journal of Epidemiology, 100 230–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, F.L. (1975). Infectious diseases in primitive societies.Science, 187 515–518.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, F.L. et al. (1977). Nutritional status of Brazilian Kayapo Indians.Human Biology, 49 139–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, F.L. et al. (1978). Birth and survival patterns in numerically unstable proto-agricultural societies in the Brazilian Amazon.Medical Anthropology, 2 95–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, F.L. et al. (1982). Genetic correlates of enhanced measles susceptibility in Amazon Indians.Medical Anthropology, 6 37–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browder, J.O. (1988). The social costs of rainforest destruction.Interciencia, 13(3), 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown L.R., Flavin C., & Postel S. (1989). A world at risk. In Brown, et al. (Eds.).State of the World, 1989. LR New York: WW Norton Co. for The Worldwatch Institute. p. 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bugos, P.E. and McCarthy, L.M. (1984). Ayoreo infanticide: a case study. In G. Hausfater & S.B. Hrdy, (Eds.).Infanticide: Comparative and Evolutionary Perspectives. New York: Aldine. pp. 503–520.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buck, A.A., Sasaki T.T., & Anderson R.I. (1968).Health and disease in four Peruvian villages. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carneiro, R.L., & Hilse, D.F. (1966). On determining the probable rate of population growth during the Neolithic.American Anthropologist, 68 177–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carneiro, R.A. (1974). The transition from hunting to horticulture in the Amazon Basin. In Y.A. Cohen (Ed.).Man in adaptation: The cultural present. Second ed. Chicago: Aldine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chagnon, N.A. (1974).Studying the Yanomamö. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chagnon, N.A. (1977; 1983).Yanomamö: The fierce people. Second ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chagnon, N.A. (1988). Life histories, blood revenge, and warfare in a tribal population.Science, 239 985–992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chagnon, N.A., & Hames, R.B. (1979). Protein deficiency and tribal warfare in Amazonia: New data.Science, 203 910–913.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chagnon N.A., Flinn M.V., & Melancon T.F. (1979). Sex-ratio variation among the Yanomamö Indians. In N.A. Chagnon & W. Irons (Eds.).Evolutionary biology and human social behavior: An anthropological perspective. North Scituate, MA: Duxbury Press, pp. 290–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chagnon N.A. & Melancon T.F. (1984). Reproduction, numbers of kin and epidemics in tribal populations: A case study. In N. Keyfitz (Ed.).Population and biology. Liege, Belgium: Ordina Editions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chernela J.M. & Thatcher V.E. (1989). Comparison of parasite burdens in two native Amazonian populations.Medical Anthropology, 10 279–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark G.A., Kelley M.A., Grange J.M., & Hill M.C. (1987). The evolution of mycobacterial disease in human populations: A reevaluation.Current Anthropology, 28(1), 45–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cockburn, T.A. (1961). The origin of treponematoses.Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 24 221–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cockburn, T.A. (1961). Eradication of infectious diseases.Science, 133 1050–1058.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cockburn, T.A. (1971). Infectious diseases in ancient populations.Current Anthropology, 12 45–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coimbra C.E.A. Jr. (1988). Human settlements, demographic pattern, and epidemiology in Iowland Amazonia: The case of Chaga's disease.American Anthropologist, 90(1), 82–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denevan, W.M. (1976). Epilogue. In William M. Denevan (Ed.).The native population of the Americas in 1492. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. pp 289–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Devereux G. (1955).A Study of abortion in primitive societies. New York: Julian.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobyns, H.F. (1966). Estimating aboriginal American population: An appraisal of techniques with a new hemispheric estimate.Current Anthropology, 7 395–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly, C.J., et al. (1977). Plaque, caries, periodontal diseases, and acculturation among Yanomamo Indians, Venezuela.Community Dental and Oral Epidemiology 5, 30–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dufour, D.L. (1983). Nutrition in the Northwest Amazon: Household dietary intake and timeenergy expenditure. In Raymond B. Hames & William T. Vickers (Eds.).Adaptive responses of native Amazonians. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dufour, D.L. (1987). Insects as food: A case study from the Northwest Amazon.American Anthropologist, 89(2), 383–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagundes-Neto, U., Baruzzi, R.G., Wehba, J., Sivestrini, W.S., Morais, M.B., & Cainelli, M. (1981) Observations of the Alto Xingu Indians (Central Brazil) with special reference to the nutritional evaluation in children.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 34 2229–2235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fearnside, P.M. (1986).Human carrying capacity of the Brazilian rainforest. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flowers, N.M. (1983a). Seasonal factors in subsistence, nutrition, and child growth in a Central Brazilian Indian Community. In Raymond B. Hames & William T. Vickers (Eds.).Adaptive responses of native Amazonians. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flowers P.M. (1983b). Xavante population and demography. From Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Columbia University (manuscript).

  • Glanville, E., & Geerdink, R. (1970). Skinfold thickness, body measurements and age changes in Trio and Wajana Indians of Surinam.American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 32 455–461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glanville, E.V., & Geerdink, R.A. (1972). Blood pressure of Amerindians from Surinam.American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 37 251–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman I. (1979). The Cubeo: Indians of the Northwest Amazon. Second ed. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guderian, R.H., Mackenzie, C.D., & Proaño, J.R. (1987). Onchocerciasis in Ecuador: Absence of microfilaraemia.Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 90 213–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hackett, C.J. (1963). On the origin of the human treponematoses.Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 29 7–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hames, R.B., & Vickers, W.T. (1983).Adaptive responses of native Amazonians. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hecht, S., & Cockburn, A. (1989).The fate of the forest. New York: Verso.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hern, W.M. (1971). Community health, fertility trends, and ecocultural change in a Peruvian Amazon Indian village: 1964–1969. Unpublished Master of Public Health thesis, University of North Carolina School of Public Health.

  • Hern, W.M. (1976). Knowledge and use of herbal contraceptives in a Peruvian Amazon village.Human Organization, 35 9–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hern, W.M. (1977). High fertility in a Peruvian Amazon Indian village.Human Ecology, 5(4), 355–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hern, W.M. (1988). Polygyny and fertility among the Shipibo: An epidemiologic test of an ethnographic hypothesis. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of North Carolina School of Public Health.

  • Holmberg A.R. (1969).Nomads of the long bow: The Siriono of Eastern Bolivia. Prospect Heights, Ill: Waveland Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston F.E. & Kensinger K.M. (1971). Fertility and mortality differentials and their implications for microevolutionary change among the Cashinahua.Human Biology, 43 356–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston F.E., Kensinger K.M., Jantz R.L., & Walker G.F. (1969). The population structure of the Peruvian Cashinahua: Demographic, genetic and cultural interrelationships.Human Biology, 41 29–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larrick, J., Yost, J., Kaplan, J., King, G., & Mayhall, J. (1979). Patterns of health and disease among the Waorani Indians of Eastern Ecuador.Medical Anthropology, 3(2), 147–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lathrap D.W. (1968). The "hunting" economies of the tropical rain forest zone of South America: An attempt at historical perspective. In R.B. Lee and I. DeVore (Eds.).Man the hunter. Chicago: Aldine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lathrop, D.W. (1970).The Upper Amazon. New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lathrop, D.W. (1977).Our father the cayman, our mother the gourd. In C.A. Reed, (Ed.).The origins of agriculture. The Hague: Mouton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, D.N., et al. (1979). Epidemiologic studies among Amerindian populations of Amazonia. II. Prevalence ofMansonella ozzardi.American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 28(6), 991–996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence D.N., Erdtmann, et al. (1980). Estudos epidemiologicos entre populacões indigenas da Amazonia. II. Prevalencias de microfilaremia deMansonella ozzardi: comparacão de dois metodos de diagnostico.Acta Amazonica, 10(4), 763–769.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence D.N., Neel J.V., et al. (1980). Epidemiologic studies among Amerindian populations of Amazonia. III. Intestinal Parasitoses in newly contacted and acculturating villages.American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 29(4), 530–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J.A. (1985).The environment, public health, and human ecology: Considerations for economic development. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, for The World Bank. Chapters 2 (Economic Development and Pollution Control), pp. 19–53, and 3 (Health Considerations for Economic Development), pp. 54–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, T.H. & Brannon, W.L. (1974). Poliomyelitis in an isolated Amerindian population.Journal of the American Medical Association, 230(9), 1295–1297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipschutz, A. (1966). La despoblacion de las Indias despues de la conquista.America Indigena, 26 229–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstein, F.W. (1961). Blood pressure in relation to age and sex in the tropics and subtropics.Lancet, i 389–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyon P.J. (1985).Native South Americans: Ethnology of the least known continent. Prospect Heights, Ill: Waveland Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, P.S. (1973). The discovery of America.Science, 197 969–974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meggers, B.J. (1971).Amazonia: Man and culture in a counterfeit paradise. Arlington Heights, Ill: AMH Publishing Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milton, K. (1984). Protein and carbohydrate resources of the Maku Indians of Northwest Amazonia.American Anthropologist, 86(1), 7–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morães M.A.P. and Chaves G.M. (1974). Onchocerciasis in Brazil: New findings among the Yanomama Indians.Bulletin of the Pan American Health Organization, 8 95–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moran, E. (1981).Developing the Amazon. Bloomington, Indiana: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moran, E. (1983).The dilemma of Amazonian development (Ed.). Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morse, D. (1961). Prehistoric tuberculosis in America.American Review of Respiratory Diseases 83, 489–504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, Y. Murphy, R.F. (1974).Women of the forest. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, T.P. (1988). El efecto de pestiliencia sobre las poblaciones de la Amazonia superior.Amazonia Peruana.

  • Neel, J.V. (1970). Lessons from a "primitive" people.Science, 1970 815–822.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel, J.V. (1982). Infectious disease among Amerindians.Medical Anthropology, 6(1), 47–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel, J.V. (1977). Health and disease in unacculturated Amerindian populations. In Health and Disease in Tribal Societies. Ciba Foundation Symposium 49. Holland: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel, J.V. (1978). The population structure of an Amerindian tribe, the Yanomama.Annual Review of Genetics, 12 365–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel J.V., Centerwall W.R., Chagnon N.A., & Casey H.L. (1970). Notes on the effect of measles and measles vaccine in a virgin-soil population of South American Indians.American Journal of Epidemiology, 91(4), 418–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel J.V. & Chagnon N.A. (1968). The demography of two tribes of primitive, relatively unacculturated American Indians.Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 59(3), 680–689.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel, J.V. & Salzano, F.M. (1970). Further studies on the Xavante Indians. X. Some hypotheses-generalizations resulting from the studies.American Journal of Human Genetics, 19 554–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel, J.V., Salzano, F.M., Junqueira, P.C., Keiter, F., & Maybury-Lewis D. (1964). Studies on the Xavante Indians of the Brazilian Mato Grosso.Human Genetics, 16(1), 52–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neel, J.V. & Weiss, K.M. (1975). The genetic structure of a tribal population, the Yanomama Indians. XII. Biodemographic studies.American Journal of Physical Anthropology 42, 25–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowaczynski W., Oliver W.J., & Neel J.V. (1985). Serum Aldosterone and protein-binding variables in Yanomama Indians: A ‘no-salt’ culture as compared to partially acculturated Guaymi Indians.Clin. Physiol. Biochem, 3 289–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver W.J., Cohen E.L., & Neel J.V. (1975). Blood pressure, sodium intake, and sodium related hormones in the Yanomamo Indians, a "no-salt" culture.Circulation, 52 146–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posey, D.A. (1983). Indigenous ecological knowledge and development of the Amazon. In E.F. Moran (Ed.).The dilemmas of Amazonian development. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press. pp 225–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roosevelt, A.C. (1980).Parmana: Prehistoric maize and manioc subsistence along the Amazon and Orinoco. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roosevelt, A.C. (1989). Lost civilizations of the Lower Amazon.Natural History February, 74–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, E.B. (1978). Food taboos, diet, and hunting strategy: The adaptation to animals in Amazon cultural ecology.Current Anthropology 19(1), 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzano F.M. (1961). Demography of the Caingang Indians.Human Biology 33, 110–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzano F.M. (1985). Changing patterns of disease among South American Indians. In F.M. Salzano, (Ed.).Diseases of complex etiology in small populations: Ethnic differences and research approaches. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc. pp. 301–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzano F.M., & Callegari-Jacques S.M. (1980). Demographic and genetic relationships among Brazilian Wapishana Indians.Annals of Human Biology, 7(2), 129–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzano F.M. (1988). Disease patterns. In F.M. Salzano & S.M. Callegari-Jacques (Eds.).South American Indians: A case study in evolution. Oxford: Clarendon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzano F.M., Callegari-Jacques S.M., & Neel J.V. (1979). Demografia genetica dos indios Ticuna da Amazonia.Acta Amazonica, 9(3), 517–527.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzano F.M. & Neel J.V. (1976). New data on the vision of South American Indians.Bulletin of the Pan American Health Organization, 10(1), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzano F.M., Neel J.V., & Maybury-Lewis D. (1967). Further studies on the Xavante Indians. I. Demographic data on two additional villages: genetic structure of the tribe.American Journal of Human Genetics, 19(4), 463–489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwaner, T.D., & Dixon, C.F. (1974). Helminthiasis as a measure of cultural change in the Amazon Basin.Biotropica 6(1), 32–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siskind J. (1973). Tropical forest hunters and the economy of sex. In D.R. Gross (Ed.).Peoples and cultures of native South America. Garden City: Natural History Press. pp. 226–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons, M. (1988). Amazon settlers turn forests to ash in name of progress.New York Times, October 11.

  • Smith, T.E. (1960). The Cocos-Keeling Islands: A demographic laboratory.Population Studies 14, 94–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielman R.S., et al. (1982). Glucose tolerance in two unacculturated Indian tribes of Brazil.Diabetologia, 23 90–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stearman, A.M. (1983). Forest to pasture: frontier settlement in the Bolivian Iowlands. In E.F. Moran (Ed.).The dilemma of Amazonian development. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stearman, A.M. (1984). The Yuquí connection: Another look at Sirionó deculturation.American Anthropologist, 86 630–650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steward J.H. (1949). The native population of South America. In Julian H. Steward (Ed.).The comparative ethnology of South American Indians, Vol. 6 of handbook of South American Indians. Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin no. 143. Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steward, J.H. & Metraux, A. (1948). Tribes of the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Montaña. In J.H. Steward (Ed.).Handbook of South American Indians. Vol. 3. pp. 51–59, 290–347, 555. The Tropical Forest Tribes, Bulletin 143. Washington, D.C: Bureau of Ethnology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sulzer, A.J., et al. (1975). A focus of hyperendemicPlasmodium malariae -P. vivax with noP.falciparum in a primitive population in the Peruvian Amazon jungle.Bulletin of the World Health Organization 52, 273–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tessman, G. (1928). Menschen ohne Gott. Ein Besuch bei den Indianen dos Ucayali. Stuttgart.

  • Thornton, R. (1987).American Indian holocaust and survival: A population history since 1492. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tournon, J. (1984). Investigaciones sobre las plantas medicinales de los Shipibo-Conibo del Ucayali.Amazonia Peruana, 5(10), 91–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, W.T. (1983). Development and Amazonian Indians: The Aguarico case and some general principles. In Emilio Moran (Ed.).The dilemma of Amazonian development. Boulder: Westview Press. pp. 25–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagley, C. (1969). Cultural influences on population: A comparison of two Tupi tribes. In A.P. Vayda (Ed.).Environment and cultural behavior. New York: Natural History Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagley, C. (1973).Man in the Amazon (Ed.). Gainesville: Univ. Fla.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagley, C. (1977).Welcome of tears: The Tapirapé Indians of Brazil. Prospect Heights, Ill: Waveland Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagley, C. (1975). The effects of depopulation upon social organization as illustrated by the Tapirapé Indians. In P.J. Lyon (Ed.).Native South Americans: Ethnology of the least known continent. Prospect Heights, Ill: Waveland Press. pp. 373–376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein E.D., Neel J.V., & Salzano F.M. (1967). Further studies on the Xavante Indians. VI. The physical status of the Xavantes of Simões Lopes.American Journal of Human Genetics, 19(4), 532–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitten, N.E. (1981). Introduction. In N.E. Whitten (Ed.).Cultural transformations and ethnicity in modern Ecuador. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Resources Institute (1987).World Resources 1987. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zachariah, K.C. & Vu, M.T. (1988).World population projections, 1987–88 Edition: Shortand long-term estimates. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, for The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hern, W.M. Effects of cultural change on health and fertility in Amazonian Indian societies: Recent research and projections. Popul Environ 13, 23–43 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01256569

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01256569

Keywords

Navigation