Vanishing Amazon

The renowned photographer Ricciardi ( Vanishing Africa ) has produced another masterpiece. Her striking images--many are portraits--of Brazilian Indian of three tribes capture the dignity and pride of her subjects as they go about their daily lives; the photographs of lively, playful children are especially appealing. The Indians are the Kampa of far western Amazonia, at the Peruvian border; the Maruba, also in the west, in the Javari River Valley; and the largest major tribe untouched by civilization, the Yanomami, who inhabit a northern area near the border of Venezuela. The text is brief: Ricciardi gives a vivid account of her strenuous journeys into the rainforest; and Colchester, director of the Forest People's Program of the World Rainforest Movement, provides historical and anthropological background for each tribe. Of the 220 photographs, 150 are in color. (Nov.)