O “índio” por vários tipos: representações dos indígenas a partir do diário do Rio de Janeiro (1850-1858)

Abstract

Aiming to contribute with the enlargement of the indigenous history field, the present work seeks to analyze representations of the indigenous peoples found in the Diário do Rio de Janeiro, (Rio de Janeiro Daily), an important periodical publication of the Brazilian Court within the 1850 to 1858 time frame. The Brazilian Digital Newspaper Library, when searched by keyword, presents a list of over 300 instances of the word “índio” (indian) appearing in the Diário. However, the analysis of the periodical was done within the whole of the time frame mentioned, not only of the occurrences listed. From the material survey conducted by reading all of the newspapers, the analysis, filtering and refining of it, with the goal of understanding which representations were imposed by the periodical publications upon the indigenous people. Through analysis and categorization of occurrences found, it was possible to conduct a quantitative analysis of the representation, and therefore acquire an understanding of how such ideas and stereotypes about native Brazilians were engendered in society. Introduced as exhibition products, circus figures or marginals, as being hostile, barbarian and violent but also susceptible to catechization, social and criminal correction, it may be said that autochthonous Brazilians had various types of representations cast upon their bodies. To understand the representations enforced at that moment on the Brazilian natives allows us to grasp a little about the society and the political game to which those subjects were submitted, were it at the service of the idea of civilization that lingered about, or for the purpose of indigenous land exploitation. The Diário do Rio de Janeiro presents very rich material that allows for light to be shed on the representations reproduced in its pages. Thus, the present paper seeks to reflect on the narratives presented by the newspaper and the ways they resonated at the time, not discarding the echoes that still proliferate in contemporary society.