Written in 1928 (and published in 1931), the subtitle of this book by Raul Bopp lists the name of the language (nheengatú) used by the author. The cover was illustrated by Flávio de Carvalho and the issue dedicated “to Tarsila [do Amaral].” This text is considered—along with Macunaíma by Mário de Andrade (1928)—one of the few books of anthropophagic poetry by the creators of this avant-garde movement in Brazil. The characters and scenes of this book are similar to those painted by Tarsila do Amaral in her “Anthrophagic” phase; works such as O Ovo (urutu) [The Egg, rattler], 1928; O touro (boi na floresta) [The bull in the rainforest], 1928; and Floresta [Rainforest], 1929.
Inspired by the painting O abaporú [The Cannibal, 1928] by Tarsila do Amaral, Oswald de Andrade (1890–1954) and Raul Bopp (1898–1984) gave rise to the movement that shared its name with the aforementioned painting. It produced literature and art in São Paulo, and its official publication was Revista de Antropofagia (first and second phase), which published Oswald de Andrade’s “Manifesto Antropofago,” the books Macunaíma and Cobra Norato (both from 1928), as well as the painting by Tarsila do Amaral during her Anthrophagic phase.
The Revista de Antropofagia publication began with the “Manifesto Antropofago” previously mentioned [see the ICAA digital archive (doc. no. 771303 )], with editorial leadership by Alcântara Machado and Raul Bopp across its 10 issues (May 1928 – February 1929). Other available texts from that era include by Oswaldo Costa “A ‘descida’ antropophaga” (doc. no. 784397); by Plínio Salgado “A língua tupy” (doc. no. 784419). Under the leadership of Geraldo Ferraz, the publication’s second phase was included in the Diário de São Paulo. The text “Péret” (doc. no. 1110367) from this latter phase is signed by Cunhabebinho (pseudonym of Oswald de Andrade).