Mudanças demográficas nas terras indígenas Xavante de Pimentel Barbosa e Wedezé

Abstract

Despite the increase of demographic studies and data addressing Indigenous populations in recent years, there are still many unknown basic populational aspects and dynamics. This thesis aims to contribute to the field by delineating the demographic profile of the Xavante population living in two Indigenous reserves in a cerrado region of the Legal Amazon, Mato Grosso, in 2011. The study addresses sociocultural and local contextual factors, such as female age at marriage, subsistence system, water quality, access to health services, among others. Past demographic studies of this specific population in recent decades permitted comparison between the results of the present and past studies. The Brass P/F ratio method was used to adjust age-specific fertility rates as well as to reinforce the analysis of the fertility trend in recent years. Child mortality was estimated using the Brass method based on women’s reports of children’s survival and life tables were built using model tables. The data indicate a young population with high infant mortality, and high fertility when compared to the Brazilian national population. Infant mortality estimates are consistent with a declining trend in the medium and long terms. The study also shows evidence of recent fertility decline, which would constitute an important and unparalleled demographic change in this Xavante population.