AN HISTORICAL PICTURE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE UPPER MADEIRA RIVER DURING THE 18th CENTURY

Résumé

This article examines the history of the Indians in the upper Rio Madeira during the eighteenth century. This highly culturally diverse area, with a po­orly known indigenous history is the subject of a historical reflection on the variability of ethnonyms in space, movements for territorial expansion or migration, as well as the impact of colonization on these groups. It shows the importance of travelers accounts for a more detailed picture of eighteenth century. Keywords: Ethnonyms, travelers, upper Rio Madeira.