Of the poet Antonio Martínez, called “Pa’i Antonion” by Carlos Martínez Gamba,
we know nothing except that his poem, recorded by student in September 1979,
focuses on the deforestation and loss of biodiversity, which now, almost thirty years
later, are bringing about the extinction of his people. Deprived of their traditional way of life, and pushed out of the r’ainforest by logging companies into the most miserable quarters of the cities, the Mbyá of Misiones are suffering a covert genocide. As the poet says, they were not made to sell the trees. Holding fast to their worldview and poetic vision, the Mbyá prepare for death.
PRINCIPAL WORKS: As an oral poet, most of his works were not recorded.
