In recent years, Brazilian Indigenous content creators like Diamantha Aweti Kalapalo have turned to social media platforms to increase awareness about their cultures and gain financial independence. However, their efforts have been met with censorship from platforms like YouTube, which has forced them to sanitize their content to comply with policies on child safety and sexually explicit material.
For Kalapalo and others in her community, the internet is a vital tool for preserving their oral traditions and cultural practices. Maria Perpétua Domingues, a history researcher, notes that Indigenous influencers are creating a new form of ethno-media that portrays and preserves their culture without outside interference. This content includes music, textures, body art, and more, providing a holistic view of their way of life.
Despite the challenges of censorship, Kalapalo and her sister Ysani have amassed a significant following on social media platforms. Ysani, in particular, started creating videos to combat discrimination and harassment faced by her family when they moved away from their Indigenous community. However, as their popularity grew, they had to tone down their content to avoid bans and takedowns.
The Kalapalo sisters have had videos removed from multiple platforms for various reasons, including copyright violations and age-restricted content. To avoid further censorship, they now ensure that everyone in their videos is clothed and limit their content to less controversial topics. This shift has hindered their efforts to preserve their culture fully, as traditional dances and rituals are often left out to avoid bans.
Despite these challenges, Diamantha continues to address taboo subjects within her community, such as domestic violence, infanticide, and abuse. However, the platforms‘ strict policies on nudity and explicit content can inadvertently censor and perpetuate prejudice against Indigenous cultures. Chirley Pankara, an Indigenous activist, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding their own culture and representation on the internet.
The Kalapalo sisters rely heavily on income from social media, selling artisanal goods, and giving guided tours to support themselves. However, their content has faced criticism from within their tribe, with some members disapproving of their departure from traditional gender roles. Despite these challenges, the sisters remain determined to share their culture with the world and pursue ambitious dreams, such as Ysani’s literary career and Diamantha’s aspirations for a TV deal.
In conclusion, the journey of Brazilian Indigenous content creators like the Kalapalo sisters highlights the complexities and challenges of sharing and preserving cultural heritage in the digital age. While social media platforms offer a platform for visibility and financial independence, they also pose obstacles in the form of censorship and cultural expectations. Despite these challenges, Indigenous creators continue to navigate these spaces to share their stories and traditions with a global audience.