The Yanomami are indigenous people who live in the rainforests of Brazil and Venezuela. The word Yanomami means "human being." The whole community lives in one disc shaped structure called a shabono. Their homes are made out of pole and thatch. Their homes have no walls because in the rainforest it is very hot. Also, their is no electricity or running water. They sleep in hammocks and cook over open fires. Villages are grouped by families.

The Yanomami eat a lot of different foods that are all found in the rainforest. They grow a crop called plantains which is like a banana. The men hunt wild animals like pigs, fish, birds, monkeys, and alligators. The women gather wild plants and garden. They eat wild plants, berries, nuts, mushrooms, insects, vegetables, and fruit.

Yanomami don’t wear a lot of clothing, so they pierce themselves on the ears, cheeks, noses, and lips. They also scar and paint themselves. They cut designs in their hair and file their teeth.

Lots of different things are making the Yanomami become extinct. In 1950 when people came in contact with them, they became sick from diseases, and they died. The diseases they are suffering from are pneumonia, malaria, tuberculosis, skin disease, yellow fever, and hepatitis. 110 died of malaria. In wars, the Yanomami are killing each other. Gold miners are taking their land and polluting the water with mercury. This poisons the fish and birds that the Yanomami eat. Also, the constant flight of supply planes is making a lot of noise and the animals are running away. The Yanomami are starving because they don’t have much food! There are less than 17,000 of them left! The world should save the Yanomami because soon they will become extinct!!

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