State of Wonder

Though Amazonian tribes like the Lakashi and the Jinta initially seem far removed and isolated from the influence of modern life and civilization, Marina discovers that the desire for economic and social power can spread and corrupt even in the Amazon Basin. For example, during a trip down river to the Jinta Trading Post with Alan and Nancy Saturn, Dr. Budi, Benoit, and Easter, Marina is startled t to find several white tourists so far up the Amazon. As well as their presence, Marina notices the considerable impact the tourists on the behavior of the Jinta Indians, who pander to them and their cameras, transforming their traditional ceremonies and dances into public entertainment. In addition, those Jinta not dancing or performing, dedicate their efforts to selling trinkets and crafts for financial gain. Rather than having an authentic encounter with another culture, the tourists are given what they want, a spectacle and a few exotic pictures that they can brag about with their friends and colleagues back home. The superficial nature of this encounter is made clear by the fact that the tourists mistake Marina for a Jinta Indian.

For the Amazon tribes, however, even the most minor intrusion from the outside world poses a grave threat to their culture and behavior.