Ropni Metyktire, better known as Cacique Raoni, is the largest Mebengokre (Kayapó) leader - an indigenous group belonging to the Macro-Jê linguistic branch - and one of the most important indigenous leaders in Brazil and the world. Ropni is part of the Kayapó subgroup called Metyktire, which split and differed from its ancestral group in the region between the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers, in central-western Brazil, probably in the late 19th century. However, with the invasion of their territories, from the eighteenth century, the Kayapó went through a gradual process of migration in the northwest direction, entering the Xingu River basin.
Ropni was born in the state of Mato Grosso, probably in the mid-1930s, in a region called Kapot nhinore, on the right bank of the Xingu River, near the border with the state of Pará. In 1954 the Metyktire established peaceful contact with the surrounding society, during an expedition of the national integration policy under the execution of the Indian Protection Service and the coordination of the Villas Boas brothers, a process in which Ropni played a central role. With the Villas Boas brothers, Ropni learned to communicate in Portuguese and to understand many aspects of the life and organization of those invading their territories. He came to understand the power of the Kuben (colonists) and to fear what they could do with the traditional Mebengokre territories and their people.
Ropni is unmistakable, easily identifiable by his botoque (lip disc), his yellow feather headdress and his unique personality. His extremely kind demeanor, combined with sharp humor and irony, but above all, with the dignified and honest manner in which he has been fighting for the defense of forests, of traditional peoples and of life, makes Ropni a fascinating and charismatic leader, which imposes him naturally, attracting the attention, curiosity and admiration of all.
Ropni has always maintained his integrity remaining faithful to his values and traditions. Throughout his career, Ropni has, of course, become one of the main spokesmen of the indigenous peoples of Brazil, contributing to raising awareness among the world population about the need to protect the Amazon rainforest and the fundamental role played by its traditional peoples and populations. This has evidently become his life mission. Even in his late 90s, Ropni is tireless and spares no effort on long trips to give visibility to his fight.
