About
Yanomamö a Multidisciplinary Study illustrates the field techniques used by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Michigan in collaboration with their Venezuelan colleagues focused on understanding the Yanomamö population structure in genetic and social terms. The team includes specialists in human genetics, serology, epidemiology, demography, dentistry, physical and cultural anthropology, and linguistics. The film touches upon medical problems already apparent in 1968, such as the high death rate from recently introduced measles, to which the Yanomamö had no previous immunity.
Insight is provided into the peculiarities of the relationship between the scientists and their subjects: the scientists collect blood specimens, photograph anomalous teeth, and stir human stool samples around in little jars, much to the bewilderment and amusement of the Yanomamö. The film also includes a brief sketch of Yanomamö culture and society.
This film is part of the Yanomamö series, a collaborative project undertaken by filmmaker Timothy Asch and anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon between 1968 and 1971 to film the Yanomamö Indians of southern Venezuela and northern Brazil.