André Cognat

André Cognat, also known as Antecume, (21 February 1938 – 15 October 2021) was the French Guianese chief of a Wayana tribe in Antécume-Pata, French Guiana, France.

André Cognat
Cognat (left) in 1979
Born	21 February 1938 Pierre-Bénite, Metropolitan Lyon, France
Died	15 October 2021 (aged 83) Antécume-Pata, French Guiana, France
Occupation(s)	Tribal chief, memoirist

Early life

André Cognat was born on 21 February 1938 in Pierre-Bénite near Lyon, in metropolitan France.^[1]

Adult life

Cognat moved to French Guiana in 1961, at the age of 23.^[1] His boat capsized on the Litani near Maripasoula, and he was rescued by a Wayana from the Amazonia.^[1] Cognat decided to stay there, and he married a Wayana woman called Alasawani in 1973; they had a son and a daughter.^[1] By 1985, he had taken the name of Antecume.^[1] He also founded a new settlement called Antécume-Pata,^[2] and he became the chief of the local Wayana tribe.^[1]

Cognat founded Yepe, a non-profit organization to protect the rights of the Wayanas, in 1990.^[1] In particular, he had interceded for them in Cayenne to retain their access to water against Brazilian gold dredgers.^[1]

Cognat is the author of two memoirs about his life as a tribal chief.

Death

Cognat died on 15 October 2021 at the age of 83 at his home in Antécume-Pata, French Guiana, France.^[3]

Works

• Cognat, André (1988). Antecume ou une autre vie. Paris: Robert Laffont. ISBN 9782221012604. OCLC 743077769.
• Cognat, André (1995). J’ai choisi d’être indien. Paris: Éditions L'Harmattan. ISBN 9782738405845. OCLC 634356286.