Uncontacted peoples

Members of an uncontacted tribe encountered in the Brazilian state of Acre in 2009.

Uncontacted people, also referred to as isolated people or lost tribes, are communities who live, or have lived, either by choice (peoples living in voluntary isolation) or by circumstance, without significant contact with global civilization. Few peoples have remained totally uncontacted by global civilization. Indigenous rights activists call for such groups to be left alone, stating that it will interfere with their right to self-determination.[1] Most uncontacted communities are located in densely forested areas in South America, New Guinea, India, and Central Africa. Knowledge of the existence of these groups comes mostly from infrequent and sometimes violent encounters with neighboring tribes, and from aerial footage. Isolated tribes may lack immunity to common diseases, which can kill a large percentage of their people after contact.[2][3]

History

Modern

Uncontacted tribes are a source of fascination in "contacted" society, and the idea of tour operators offering extreme adventure tours to specifically search out uncontacted people has become controversial. A BBC Four documentary in 2006 documented a controversial American tour operator who specializes in escorted tours to "discover" uncontacted people in West Papua,[4] similar to the BBC's own adventure in Papua New Guinea to make its 1971 documentary A Blank on the Map in which the first contact in over a decade was made with the Biami people.

Asia

Andaman Islands, India

Two tribes of the Andaman Islands, in India, have sought to avoid contact with the outside world.

Sentinelese people

Main article: Sentinelese people

The Sentinelese continue to actively and violently reject contact. They live in North Sentinel Island, a small and remote island which lies to the west of the southern part of South Andaman Island. They are thought to number 40 to 500 members with a median estimate of 250. Helicopter surveys after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami indicate the Sentinelese survived, at least initially.

It is estimated that they have lived on their island for 60,000 years. Their language is markedly different even from other languages on the Andamans,[5] which suggests that they have remained uncontacted for thousands of years. They are thus considered the most isolated people in the world, and they are likely to remain so.[5]

Jarawa

Another Andamanese tribe, the Jarawa, live on the main islands. They rejected all contact, but following the completion of a trunk road traversing their territory in 1997, some have begun emerging from the forest into the open. They are thought to number 300 people.

Vietnam

The Rục people, when first encountered by North Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War, were hunting-gathering tribes, living in caves in eastern Quang Binh province. Since then, the government has made many attempts to relocate them.[6]

Oceania

Australia

Main article: Pintupi Nine

In 1984, a group of Pintupi people who were living a traditional hunter-gatherer life were tracked down in the Gibson Desert in Western Australia. For the first time, they encountered people from the Australian society. They are believed to have been the last uncontacted tribe in Australia.[7]

New Guinea

Large areas of New Guinea are unexplored by scientists and anthropologists due to extensive forestation and mountainous terrain. Indigenous tribes in Papua New Guinea are generally contacted in the sense that local authorities know they are there, but many remain pre-literate and out of reach of modern medicine and technology, and at the national or international level, the names of tribes and information about them may be extremely hard to obtain.

The Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua on the island of New Guinea are home to an estimated 44 uncontacted tribal groups.[8] Isolated tribes have been reported also in the eastern Indonesian islands.

The uncontacted tribes are located along the following regions:[9]

North America

It is believed that the last group of uncontacted native peoples in North America were the Lacandón people, discovered in the early part of the 20th century. Both Ishi's Yahi family, and the Lacandón Maya, were aware of European colonization and the civilization that had developed from it, but purposefully avoided any direct contact, preferring to interact only with other native peoples.

United States

Ishi, a Yahi, is believed to have been the last Native American in Northern California to have lived most of his life completely outside the culture of the United States. In 1911, he emerged from the "wild" near Oroville, California, leaving his ancestral homeland in the foothills near Lassen Peak.[10]

Mexico

The last group of people to make contact within the environs of Mexico were the Lacandón people, thought to be a formerly urban Maya population that had retreated into the Lacandon jungle of the Yucatán Peninsula to flee Spanish colonisation.[11] Initial contact was established in 1924, though it would be a number of decades before they fully emerged. Although some have chosen to enter mainstream culture, the remaining population in the jungle is still quite conservative regarding their contact with the outside world, and today numbers about 650 people.

South America

Bolivia

As of 2006, the presence of five uncontacted groups was confirmed in Bolivia; three more uncontacted groups are believed to exist. The groups whose presence has been confirmed are the Ayoreo in Kaa-Iya National Park, the Mbya-Yuqui in the Yuqui Reservation and Rio Usurinta (most of the Yuqui are now contacted; only a few families remain uncontacted), the Yurakare in Santa Cruz and Beni, the Pacahuara in the Chacobo reservation, and a group of Araona in the Araona Reservation, and the Toromona in Madidi National Park. The presence of other groups, such as the Nahua in Madidi National Park, has yet to be confirmed.

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Sinabo/Kapuibo (Nahua) Under 200 Between the lower Beni and the lower Yata
  • Pano language. Related to the Chakobo.
  • Some sources question their existence.
Toromona Unknown Eastern bank of the Manurini River, Madidi National Park
Yanaigua 100–200 Between the Rio Grande and Upper San Miguel
  • Pano according to some; more likely Tupi–Guarani related to the Yuqui.
  • Mainly hunter-gatherers.
  • Live on the Guarayos forest reserve.
Yuqui 100 Between Upper Ichilo and Upper Yapacani
  • Tupi–Guarani language.
  • Small uncontacted group of Yuqui. Mainly hunter-gatherers.
  • Live in Amboró National Park.

In 2005, Bolivia signed the Belem declaration, which recognized the basic rights of the uncontacted people.

The status of the uncontacted people of Bolivia are as follows:[12]

Ayoreo
Reported from the Bolivian Chaco. Consists of around 5 families, reported from the Kaa Iya del Gran Chaco National Park. There are four bands, of which names of two are known: Atétadie´gosode and Tacheigosode.
Yuki
Composed of some four families. They have intermittent contacts with the Christianized Yuki, who were resettled by the Christian New Tribes Mission (NTM) in the 1960s to the village of Bia Recuate. Lives in the Yuki Native Community Land Tierra Comunitaria de Origen – TCO, especially near the El Chore Forest Reserve (Municipality of Yapacaní). A small band is also found in Río Usehuta (municipality of Puerto Villarroel). According to reliable sources, the Yuki number some 49 families, of which 35 are Christianized and 14 are uncontacted. However, David Jabin claims that only 4 families remain in isolation currently, after the NTM infamously air-lifted large number of isolated Indians to Bia Recuate in 1989 and 1992.
Yuqui and Yuracare
Lives in the Isiboro Secure National Park Indigenous Territory (On the tri-junction of the Santa Cruz, Beni and Cochabamba provinces). The Yuracare are under threat from drug traffickers.
Pacahuara
A small band composing of five families reported from Santa Rosa de Abuná municipality in Pando. Christian Evangelists from the Chacobo-Pacahuara Captaincy were attempting contact as of 2013. Also reported from Arroyo Cayuvín between the Río Pacahuara and the Río Negro (Municipality of Nuevo Manoa).
Toromona, Ese Eja, and Nahua
Reported from the Madidi National Park. The region is quite remote, and this seems to keep out the loggers and missionaries. The Toromona are found along the Rio Colorado and Rio Enhajehua (Municipality of Ixiamas). The Yora (Ese Eja) are nomads who criss cross the Bolivia-Peru border, and are found along the Río Heath region (Municipality of Ixiamas).
Araona
Uncontacted bands live in the Araona Native Community Land. Reported from Río Manurimi and Alto Manupare (Municipality of Ixiamas). The contacted bands of Araona number some 100 persons in total, and live under the supervision of the fundamentalist Christian organization New Tribes Mission (NTM). Both the NTM and the SIL are pursuing forced contact with the remaining uncontacted Araona, but these attempts have ended in failure.

In addition to these groups, some other groups (Mosetene, Tsimanes, and Chacobo) also exists with intermittent isolation.

Brazil

Members of an uncontacted tribe encountered in the Brazilian municipality of Feijó, state of Acre

On January 18, 2007, FUNAI reported that it had confirmed the presence of 67 uncontacted tribes in Brazil, up from 40 in 2005.[13] With this reported increase, Brazil has surpassed the island of New Guinea (divided between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) as the region having the highest number of uncontacted tribes.

The seven Terras Indígenas (TI) (Reservations) exclusively reserved for isolated people are:

Uncontacted groups living in other peoples' TIs are:

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Apiaká over 100 Mato Grosso – Between Lower Juruena and Lower Teles Pires
  • Tupi–Guarani.
  • Isolated Apiaká group.
  • Were massacred some time ago.
Apurinã over 50 Amazonas – Upper Rio Sepatini Arawak.
Aruá 75 at most Rondônia
  • Tupi–Mondé
  • Between the rios Mequens and Colorado
  • Living over both the Rio Branco I.T. and the Guaporé B.R.
  • Rio São Miguel
  • Outside reserves.
  • Area invaded by loggers.
  • Frequent fighting.
Avá-Canoeiro around 30 Three locations in the states of Goiás, Tocantins and Minas Gerais.
  1. TI Avá-Canoeiro and the mountain ranges between the Rio Preto and the Rio Bagagem, located just northeast and east of the lake formed by the Serra da Mesa Hydroelectric Power Plant, in northern Goiás.
  2. Mata do Mamão in the Bananal Island, Tocantins.
  3. Mountain ranges located near to the Rio Urucuia and the Rio Carinhanha, in northwestern Minas Gerais.
  • Tupi–Guarani.
  • Small groups of highly mobile hunter-gatherers.
  • They are popularly known by the nickname Cara-Preta (in English: Black Face).
  • Hostile.
Guaja 120 [already counted among the known group] Maranhão – Scattered throughout the western part of the state
  • Tupi–Guarani.
  • Small groups of highly mobile hunter-gatherers (even after contact).
  • They have their own I.T. but also move in and out of several other reserves.
Ingarune around 100 North Pará – Rio Cuminapanema and Paru de Oeste
  • Karib.
  • Related to the Kachuyana.
  • Existence confirmed by the Poturuyar (recently contacted Tupi–Guarani). They live within the latter's I.T.
Kanibo (Mayo) 120–150 Rio Quixito, Javari Basin, Amazonas Probably Pano.
  • Several unsuccessful official contacts.
  • Occasional contacts with loggers.
Kaniwa (Korubo) 300 9 malocas in Between Lower Ituí and Lower Itacuaí, Amazonas Pano.
  • Occasional contacts.
  • Hostile.
Karafawyana and other isolated Carib tribes. 400–500 Four locations in Roraima and north Pará.
  1. Source of the Jatapu.
  2. Rio Urucurina, tributary of the Mapuera.
  3. Rio Kafuini, tributary of the Trombetas.
  4. Upper Turuna, tributary of the Trombetas.
 Mostly Cariban.
  1. Karib, Parukoto-Charuma sub-group.
  2. Related to the Waiwai.
  3. Some individuals visit Waiwai communities without warning the authorities. This is how they obtain their metal tools.
  4. Partly in the Trombetas-Mapuera I.T.
Karitiana 50–100 Upper Rio Candeias, Rondônia. Tupi–Arikem. Identified by the small group that has been contacted.
Katawixi 50 Upper Rio Muquim, tributary of the Purus, Amazonas. Isolated language. One community only has been located.
Kayapó do Rio Liberdade over 100 Lower Rio Liberdade, northern Mato Grosso. Gé. Identified by other Kayapó towards whom they are hostile.
Kayapó-Pu'ro 100 Lower Rio Curuá, South Pará. Kayapó. Group which has broken away from the Mekragnoti since 1940. Outside Kayapó I.T.
Kayapó-Pituiaro 200 Rio Murure, South Pará. Kayapó. Group which has broken away from the Kuben-kranken since 1950. Partly outside Kayapó I.T.
Kayapó-Kararao around 50 Lower Rio Guajara, South Pará. Kayapó. Group which has broken away from the Kararao. Struggles are part of their traditions.
Kozicky unknown Rio Curuça, Amazonas. Kayapó. Small, hostile group. Occasionally known to contact with modern society.
Kulina unknown Rio Curuça, tributary of the Javari, Amazonas. Arawan. Small isolate communities belonging to the big Kulina group.
Maku (Nadeb) around 100 Uneiuxi and Urubaxi Basins, Amazonas. Isolated language. Isolated elements of Maku groups that have already been contacted. Hunter-gatherers.
Mamaindé 50–100 Upper Rio Corumbiara, Rondônia. Isolated language. Isolated group of Nambikwara. A no-entry zone was allocated and then cancelled under local pressure. Recently massacred.
Hi-Merimã 1,500 Riozinho, tributary of the Cuniuã, Purus Basin, Amazonas. Arawan(?). Their area has recently been declared protected.
Mayoruna 200–300 3 locations in Amazonas:
  1. Rio Batã, source of the Javari.
  2. Rio Pardo.
  3. Between the Pardo and middle Javari.
 Pano. Small isolated communities of the large Mayoruna group.
Miqueleno (Cujubi) unknown Upper Rio São Miguel, Rondônia Isolated Chapakura language. Area invaded by loggers. Recently massacred.
Nereyana around 100 Rio Panama, headwaters of Paru do Oeste, North Pará. Karib. Perhaps more closely related to the Kachuyana than to the Tiriyo.
Pacaás Novos
  • (2) Oromawin sugroup
 around 150 Serra dos Pacaás Novos, Rondônia.
  • (2) Source of the Rio Formoso, Rondônia.
 Isolated Chapakura language. Isolated groups belonging to the major Pacaás Novos group. Included in the Uru-eu-wau-wau I.T.
  • (2) Neighbouring one of the Pacaás Novos I.T.
Papavo Supergroup, which includes:
  1. Mashco/Harakmbet
  2. Culina
  3. Amahuaca
  4. Yawanahua
 over 400 Acre (Scattered over a single large territory)
  • (1) Rio Breu, headwaters of the Upper Jurua.
  • (2,3,4) Between the sources of the Envira and the Muru, and Igarapé Xinané, tributary of the Purus, overflowing into Peru.
 Many isolated communities belonging to four distinct groups. Struggling is part of their traditions: reciprocal hostile contacts with the Kampa (whom they plunder), and peaceful ones with the Kulina; they plunder the loggers' encampments.
  • (1) Isolated language – On the extractivist reserve of Alto Jurua.
  • (2,3,4)-(2) Arawan, (3,4) Panoan – Two I.T. have been set up for them.
Pariuaia over 100 Rio Bararati, tributary of the Lower Juruena, Amazonas. Probably Tupi–Kawahib, Tupi–Guarani. Have refused all contact since 1930.
Piriutiti 100–200 Rio Curiau, Amazonas. Related to the Waimiri-Atroari (Karib). Some live in, others outside, the latter's I.T.
Sateré unknown Rio Parauari, tributary of the Maués-açu, Amazonas. Tupi. Communities that split away from the Sateré-Maué a long time ago.
Tupi–Kawahib (Piripicura) 200–300 Between the Madeirinha and Roosevelt Rivers, northern Mato Grosso. Tupi–Guarani. A no-entry zone has just been allocated for them.
Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau 300 Serra dos Pakaás-Novas, Rondônia. Tupi–Guarani. There remain over 3 uncontacted groups. Several hostile encounters with gold-seekers and loggers. All are included in the vast Uru-eu-wau-wau I.T.
Wayãpi (Yawãpi) 100–150 Upper Ipitinga, between the Jari and the Paru do Leste, northern Pará. Tupi–Guarani. Group which formerly broke away from the Southern Wayãpi.
Yakarawakta 20–30 Between the Rios Aripuanã and Juruena, Mato Grosso Norte. Tupi–Guarani. Probably an Apiaka sub-group.
Yanomami 300 Amazonas
  1. Upper Marauia
  2. Between the Demini and the Catrimani
 Yanomami.
  1. Within the I.T.
  2. Isolated communities; probably outside the I.T., but within the Rio Branco National Park.
name unknown around 100 Between the Upper Amapari and Upper Oiapoque, Amapa. Unspecified language family. According to the Southern Wayãpi, a group that formerly broke away from them. According to the Northern Wayãpi, one of their former enemy groups, the Tapüiy.
name unknown (Isolados do Jandiatuba) 300 Between the Upper Jandiatuba and the Itacuaí, Amazonas. Maybe a Katukina group.
name unknown (Isolados do São José) 300 Igarapé São José, tributary of the Itacuaí, Amazonas. Seems to be a group distinct from Isolados do Jandiatuba.
name unknown unknown Igarapé Recreio, Cruzeiro do Sul municipality, Upper Juruá, Acre. Panoan(?)
name unknown (Isolados do Igarapé Tueré) unknown Igarapé Tueré, tributary of the Itacaiúnas, Pará. Tupi(?)
name unknown (Isolados do Arama e Inaui) around 100 South of Rio Inauini, Purus Basin, Amazonas.
name unknown (Isolados do Igarapé Umari) unknown Igarapé Umari, tributary of the Ituxi, Amazonas.
name unknown (Isolados da Serra do Taquaral) unknown Serra do Taquaral, source of the Rio Branco, Rondônia.
Man of the Hole 1 Believed to be the last of his tribe.

Of the known uncontacted peoples of Brazil, according to the above, 16 live in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, 7 in Rondônia, 8 in Pará, 2 in Acre, 3 in Mato Grosso, and one each in Amapá, Maranhão, Roraima, Tocantins, Goiás and Minas Gerais. Keep in mind some migrate between state lines.

In 2013, the FUNAI published a list of known locations of 104 uncontacted bands of indigenous people. Another list gives the names of 17 tribes, which are classified as "Recently contacted".[16]

The groups which are classified as recently contacted are: Korubo do Igarapé Quebrado, Zo’é, Akuntsu do vale do Rio Omerê, Piripkura, Kanoe do vale do Rio Omerê, Zuruahá, Yanomami, Ye'kuana, Arara do Para, Araweté, Parakanã, Awá-Guajá, Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, Avá-Canoeiro, Juma, Hüpdah-Yuhupde, and Waimiri-Atroari.[16]

Of the 104 references for uncontacted bands, 26 are confirmed references, and the remaining 78 are "under study". Of this, 9 references come under the Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Awá-Guajá. 6 are reported by the Frente de Proteção Cuminapanema, 5 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Guaporé, 9 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Madeira, 13 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Madeirinha-Juruena, 13 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Médio Xingu, 6 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, 20 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Vale do Javari, 5 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Waimiri-Atroari, 13 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Yanomami, and 6 by Frente de Proteção Etnoambiental Envira.[16]

The references where the uncontacted bands are found (References newly identified in 2013 given in Purple):

Colombia

Due to ongoing conflict, Colombia is a country that offers little protection for isolated groups. Carabayo-Aroje is the one such group, living in the Parque Nacional del Rio Pure. It is not known whether any Yari (another tribe believed to be uncontacted) survives now. Nukaak Maku were contacted in 2003 and 65% of the tribal members died of disease. Around two or three dozen Nukaak still remain isolated.

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Carabayo 150 Amazonas – Source of the Purué River, north of the Putumayo River
  • Unattested language, perhaps Yuri.
  • Overstepping the Brazilian border.
  • Hostile.
  • Population estimated at 300–500 in 2012 (including two other uncontacted tribes in the Rio Puré National Park: Juruna and Passé)[17]
Guaviare Macusa (Now Nukaak) 300 Guainia – Between the Guaviare River and the Inírida River
  • The Nukak language is unclassified.
  • It might be one of the Nadahup languages
  • Small mobile groups of hunter-gatherers.
  • Recently contacted. Now about 50 remain uncontacted. Population fell from 800 to 300 in just one year.
name unknown (Isolados dos Rio Yari) unknown Caqueta – Upper Rio Yari
  • Karib or isolated language?
  • Karijona or Witoto sub-group.
  • Live in the Chiribiquete national park.

Ecuador

It is not known whether any Tagaeri survive now in Yasuni National Park. In the 1990s when a member of Tagaeri was contacted by a lone Huaorani hunter, he told him that Tagaeri numbers only a handful of members and are in danger of being wiped out by their hostile neighbours – the Taromenane. Since then there have been no more peaceful contacts. The Tagaeri hunter also mentioned another group, the Oñamenane who numbered five or six individuals, and one other tribe – the Huiñatare. In 2003 about 30 Taromenane were massacred by the Huaorani in retaliation for the killing of a Huaorani hunter. In the same year 14 Tagaeri were killed by loggers. In April 2006 a logger was speared to death by the Taromenane (in 2005 another one was also killed by the same tribe, whose body was later found embedded with 30 spears and his face unrecognizable). In the same month a further 30 Taromenane and 10 loggers were killed in conflicts according to leader Iki Ima Omene (of Huaorani). In Jan 2007 the president of Ecuador declared the Southern part of Yasuni a forbidden zone (7,580 square kilometers) in order to protect the uncontacted people. At the same time CONAIE reported that there are a total of 150–300 Taromenane (divided into two sub-tribes) and 20–30 Tagaeri surviving uncontacted there. The Oñamenane and Huiñatare are extinct.

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Huaorani 100–200 Oriente – Between the Upper Napo and Upper Curaray
  • Isolated language.
  • Segment hostile to the Waorani. Threatened by the advancing front of oil prospecting.

The uncontacted bands or nuclear families belonging to the Taromenane and Tagaeiri tribes were located in and around the tributaries of the Rumiyaku, Tiputini, and Curaray rivers (esp. along the Tivacuno, Yasuni Nashiño, Cononaco, Cononaco Chico, Tiwino, and Cuchiyaku rivulets). The major bands identified in 2013 were:[12]

Cuchiyaku band
Located in the South-western side of the forbidden zone, along the Rio Curaray. This particular band has been almost exterminated by frequent conflict with the Babeiri group of the Christianized Huaorani. Indigenous organizations have accused the oil companies of bribing the Baeiri, in order to exterminate the uncontacted Indians. In a major massacre in 2003, more than 15 uncontacted Indians were massacred with shotguns and hunting rifles.
Tivacuno band of Yasuní
The band is located entirely inside the forbidden zone, which was set up for their protection. The ethnic identity is believed to be Tagaeiri, led by an elder known as Nankamo. This group speaks the Huaorani language. Clashes between the uncontacted Indians and the Christianized ones haven't been reported for the past many years.
Chico Cononaco band
Located along the Tiwino Road. This group have been heavily decimated due to armed conflicts. It is believed that this band is composed of Taromenane men and Tagaeiri women.

The conflicts occurring in this region is not a new phenomena. The conflict started as early as the 1970s, when oil companies recruited Kichwa Indians for their drilling and exploration work. To maintain the law and order, the Ecuadorian government asked the SIL missionaries to resettle the Huaorani to regions away from the oil blocks. In return, the missionaries were supported by the oil companies, who provided them with helicopters and other articles. Most of the Huaorani relocated (90% by 1975), but the remaining free bands soon took over the vacant lands. A part of the territory which was formerly occupied by the extinct Sápara tribe was also conquered.

In March 24, 2013 more than 20 uncontacted Taromenane Indians were killed by contacted/settled Indians who were armed with shotguns and carbines, in retaliation for a previous murder. Human rights/religious activists Miguel Ángel Cabodevilla and Milagros Aguirre authored a book called A Tragedy Hidden Away detailing the massacre, but the Ecuadorian Supreme Court banned its distribution, reversing the ban after two days due to public outcry.[18] The book was later released on the internet.[19]

French Guiana

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Wayãpi 100 Between the Eureupoucine and the Upper Camopi
  • Tupi–Guarani.
  • Group that broke away from the Wayãpi of Upper Oyapock around 1900.
  • They refuse all contact.

As of 2013, no uncontacted ethnic groups existed in French Guiana.[12]

Guyana

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Wapishana 100 Between the sources of the Essequibo River and the Tacutu River; Serra Acarai
  • Arawak.
  • Isolated segment of the Wapishana group.
  • They refuse all contact.
name unknown around 100 Between the Upper Courantyne and the New River
  • Karib.
  • Maybe related to the Tiriyo.

As of 2013, no uncontacted ethnic groups exist in Guyana.[12]

Paraguay

There remain perhaps as many as 300 Totobiegosode who have not been contacted; they belong to the Ayoreo ethnicity, which numbers around 2,000. In the 1990s the main group attempting to contact them was New Tribes Mission. In 1979 and 1986, the New Tribes Mission was accused of assisting in the forcible contact of nomadic Ayoreo Indians, whose unsuccessful attempts to remain in the forest led to several native deaths. Others died soon after being brought out of the forest. The incident forced some Ayoreo to flee to Bolivia. Ranchers, who illegally encroach on their lands, are a threat to these people. In 2004 a group of 17 Ayoreo-Totobiegosode previously uncontacted made contact with the outside world and decided to settle down (five men, seven women and five children, according to Survival). It was not known whether there were any more isolated Ayoreo left in the jungle. In the first week of September 2007, another uncontacted band of Ayoreo-Totobiegosode were spotted by loggers in the Western Chaco. Ayoreo are believed to be the last uncontacted Indians south of the Amazon basin.[20] In 2008, a Paraguayan ruling blocked a Brazilian company from clearing Totobiegosode to make room for cattle ranches,[21][22] although the forest is still being cleared illegally.[23]

Peru

There are now five reserves in the Peruvian Amazon meant to protect the lands and rights of isolated peoples. Most of the reserves are entered by illegal loggers and petroleum companies with legal concessions to work in those lands, although their activities jeopardize the lives of the isolated populations.

After Brazil (67 uncontacted groups confirmed) and New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Iriyan Jaya), Peru has one of the largest number of uncontacted tribes in the world (15).[24] Some of the groups in Peru are in danger of extermination by loggers and oil development. As of 2006, the locations where uncontacted groups are confirmed to be living are as follows:

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Morunahua 150 This group is probably related to the group that used to be called Papavo in Brazil.
Parquenahua 200 Pano. They live in the Manu national park.
Pisabo 200 Pano.

More than a dozen uncontacted bands of Indians remained in Peru as of 2013:

Mashco-Piro
Divided into at least 3 different bands. One band lives in Rio Purus basin in south Ucayali, while two more were reported from the Rio Las Piedras basin (esp. Rio Tahuamanu and the Rio Los Amigos region). A fourth band, whose existence is not confirmed, is reported from Alto Rio Yurua (North of Rio Purus). Each band is believed to be divided into small nomadic subdivisions. The Mashco-Piro are the remnants of a much larger tribe which was destroyed during the rubber boom. In the 1960s, two of the bands were attacked using dynamite and other explosives by workers from the International Petroleum Company. Attacks after 1999 have been due mainly to the increasing prices of Mahogany. In 2002 a reserve was set up for some of the Mashco-Piro bands. As of 2013, all the bands seem to be surviving.[12] Between 2005 and 2013, Miguel Piovesan, an Italian Christian missionary, campaigned for a road from Puerto Esperanza to Inapari, which would cut through the Mascho-Piro reserve. As a result of Piovesan's campaign, which got good support from the non-indigenous poor population of the region whom the road was intended to help, the government declared its intention to construct such a road. Advocate groups worry that this may push the tribe towards extinction.[25]
Kugapakori and Nahua bands of Matsigenka
Although most of the Matsigenka are contacted, some are still uncontacted. The contacted Matsigenka were forcibly resettled by the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the 1950s . The uncontacted bands are reported from Alto Rio Paquiria (in Rio Urubamba basin). As of 2013, the attacks against the uncontacted bands has slowed down, after government created tribal reserves.[12]
Nanti
Found along Rio Camisea, Rio Timpia and Rio Ticumpinia (lying in between the Rio Urubamba and Rio Manu basins in Cusco and Madre de Dios). Related to Matsigenka. The first attempted contact was in the 1970s by Christian missionaries, which was followed by loggers and petroleum workers in the 1980s and 1990s. Attempts to contact the tribe continued in 2000–2009 using helicopters. Epidemics such as acute respiratory infections and severe diarrhoea has been reported as a result of these attempts. A regional indigenous organization, Consejo Matsiguenka del Rio Urubamba reported that a large number of Nanti died in 2003 of epidemics, although the government later countered the claim saying that only 22 have died of epidemics from 2002 June to 2003 June. Most of the dead were children. In 2008, anthropologist Christine Beier reported that between 30% and 50% of the Nanti has died during 2000–2008 due to epidemics.
Asháninka people|Ashaninka]
Most of the uncontacted bands of Ashaninka are located along the foothills of Cordillera Vilcabamba (esp. in Rio Ene basin). Population was estimated at 90 families in 2010. During the 1980 and 1990s, hundreds of uncontacted Ashaninka are believed to have died in the conflicts between government troops and left-wing guerillas. As of 2013, the attacks against the Indians has slowed down and their villages are located inside the Otishi National Park and the Ashaninka Communal Reserve.[12]
Isolados do Rio Yavari e Rio Tapiche (Mayoruna ?)
Evidence suggests that this group speaks some of the Panoan languages. There are two distinct tribes, with the one in the north related to the Matses or Northern Mayoruna, while the southern one related to Isconahua or Remo / Southern Mayoruna. In 1964, the Peruvian Air Force attacked some of the villages with Napalm, killing a large number of Indians. The tribes frequently criss-cross the Brazil-Peru border. In 2010, the Marubo living on the Brazilian side of the border claimed that more and more "Mayoruna" from Peru are crossing over to Brazil, in order to escape from loggers and missionaries. Violent clashes has occurred recently between the contacted Marubo and the uncontacted Mayoruna. Missionaries from the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) are currently attempting to contact the uncontacted bands.[12]
Isconahua (Iskobakebu)
Located in North Ucayali, near the Brazil border. The villages are located in between Alto Rio Calleria, the Rio Utuquinia and the Rio Abujao. A reserve was established in 1998. In 1959, missionaries from the South American Mission attempted to contact one of the bands of Isconahua. This band numbered more than twenty people. The missionaries moved them to lower Rio Calleria, but almost all of them died of epidemics. The Isconahua calls themselves "Nucuini" and are thought to be the descendants of the once large Remo tribe. Most of the villages are covered by the Isconahua Territorial Reserve. The area is currently under extensive occupation by loggers, drug-traffickers and mining workers.[12]
Isolados do Rio Calleria e Rio Maquia
Locally known as Kapanawa. Speaks a Panoan language. The villages are covered by the Sierra del Divisor Reserved Zone and border the Isconahua Territorial Reserve (to the SE).[12]
Yora, and other tribes
The Peru-Brazil border region along the Peruvian states of Madre de Dios & Ucayali, with the Brazilian state of Acre is home to a number of isolated bands. The region is bound by Rio Yurua to the north and Rio Purus to the south. The Indians call themselves the "Yora". Language is Panoan. During the 19th century, more than 100 different Panoan tribes lives between R.Yurua and R.Purus. The Yora are believed to be their remnants.[12]
Murunahua and the Chitonahua
Found between Alto Rio Yurua and Rio Envira, along the Peru-Brazil border. Both tribes are under extreme harassment from the loggers, and a large part have been forcibly contacted and resettled near missionary outposts. Murunahua Territorial Reserve was established in 1997, but was soon overrun by the loggers.[12]
Mastanahua
Live along the Rio Purus and Rio Curanja basins. In 2006, one member was contacted by the Christian Pioneer Mission and taken to the Puerto Paz village. This was followed by a small number of other Mastanahua. However the remaining uncontacted Indians have recently engaged in violent conflicts with the villagers of Puerto Paz.[12]
Kakataibo
Uncontacted bands are found along Rio Pisqui, Rio Aguaytia, Rio San Alejandro, Rio Sungoroyacu and Rio Pozuzo in the Loreto, Ucayali and Huanuco provinces. Contacted Kakataibo have clashed with the uncontacted Indians, and have found their language difficult to understand. The government has refused to establish territorial reserves for the uncontacted Kakataibo. Currently the region is under invasion by loggers, petroleum explorers and coca farmers. A tuberculosis epidemic is also reported in the area.[12]
Isolated groups along Peru-Ecuador border
Reported from Rio Napo, Rio Aushiri, Rio Nashino, Rio Curaray, Rio Arabela,

Rio Tangarana and Rio Pucacuro, in north Loreto province. It is believed that most of the bands are related to Zaparo and Huaorani. Presence of two Huaorani bands (Feromenami and Tagaeri) has been confirmed. Pananujuri, a Zaparoan group (related to Arabela?) is found near Rio Aleman. A decade ago, two groups tried to establish contact with the Pananujuri. The first one was a Russian anthropological group, which was some-what successful, and the second was the Christian missionary organization Summer Institute of Linguistics (unsuccessful). The SIL alleged that the Russians gained unlawful entry in to the uncontacted territory, although no negative consequences were reported.[12]

Isolated groups along Peru-Ecuador border
Reported from Alto Rio Tambopata and Rio Malinowski. Threats against the uncontacted were insignificant.[12]
Isolados do Rio Manu
Probably Panoan. A part of the territory is unprotected.[12]
Isolados do Alto Rio Yaco
Known as "Masko". Frequent cross-border movement to Terra Indigena Mamoadate in Brazil. Most probably related to Yora. Language not intelligible to the Yaminahua of Mamoadate.[12]

Suriname

Name Pop (Est) Location Commentary
Akulio 50 Watershed between Suriname and Brazil. Between the sources of the Itani and the Jari
  • Karib.
  • Last uncontacted segment of Akulio.
  • They refuse all contact.

As of 2013, no uncontacted ethnic groups exists in Suriname.[12]

Venezuela

There are three uncontacted tribes living in Venezuela. They are Hoti, Yanomami and Piaroa. The vast majority of the members of these tribes are already contacted and only a few live in isolation. Another isolated group, the Sape of Rio Karun became extinct during the 1990s.

Hoti
Located near Rio Kaima and the Sierra de Maigualida region. Most of the contacted Hoti live in the missionary outposts of San Jose de Kayama and Cano Iguana. About 40% of the Hoti are nomadic, while the remaining 60% are stationed in various missionary outposts. The Venezuelan government expelled the Christian missionary group New Tribes Mission from the Hoti lands in 2006, in order to prevent contact.[12]
Yanomami
There are a total of 25,000 Yanomami, who live in approx. 250 villages. There are five bands of Yanomami which live in isolation (a few hundred individuals). These include Alto Rio Siapa (SE Amazonas), between Sierra Parima and the Cerro Delgado Chalbaud (Amazonas), between Alto Rio Ocamo and the Rio Mutucini (Amazonas), Alto Rio Caura (Bolivar), and Alto Rio Paragua (Bolivar).[12]
Piaroa
Small isolated bands of Piaroa are located near Alto Rio Cuao and Rio Parhuaza. These bands are locally known as comunidades de tierra adentro. The regions where they live are extremely difficult to access.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Nuwer, Rachel (2014-08-04). "Future – Anthropology: The sad truth about uncontacted tribes". BBC. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  2. ↑ "Isolated tribe spotted in Brazil". BBC News. 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
  3. ↑ Adams, Guy (2 February 2012). "Close camera encounter with 'uncontacted' Peruvian tribe". The New Zealand Herald.
  4. ↑ First Contact, BBC Four Anthropology Season, part 1 of 6
  5. 1 2 "The most isolated tribe in the world?". Survival International. Retrieved February 2010.
  6. ↑ "Sự thật về những cơn đói của đồng bào Rục" (in Vietnamese). Retrieved February 2010. ("Chut people in famine")
  7. ↑ Colliding worlds: first contact in the western desert, 1932–84, National Museum of Australia
  8. ↑ "BBC: First contact with isolated tribes?". Survival International. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  9. ↑ "Where are they?". Uncontactedtribes.org. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  10. ↑ "Ishi: The Last Yahi", University of California – San Francisco, Library
  11. ↑ "Endless Tours Cancun: Lacandón: The Last Uncontacted People in North America". Endlesscancun.blogspot.com. 2011-01-12. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary isolation and initial contact (PDF). Dany Mahecha R., Carlos Eduardo Franky C. (eds.). International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and Instituto de Promoción Estudios Sociales (IPES). 2013. ISBN 978-87-92786-32-6.
  13. ↑ Colitt, Raymond. "Brazil sees traces of more isolated Amazon tribes". Reuters. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  14. ↑ Brazil: Land for last survivor of unknown Amazon tribe. Survival International. 9 November 2006.
  15. ↑ The Most Isolated Man on the Planet Slate, August 20, 2010.
  16. 1 2 3 Rodrigues, Douglas A. (2014). "Proteção e Assistência à Saúde de Povos Indígenas Isolados e de Recente Contato no Brasil" (in Portuguese). Academia.edu. (registration required (help)).
  17. ↑ "Photos: Uncontacted Amazon tribes documented for first time in Colombia". News.mongabay.com. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
  18. ↑ "Death in the Amazon". The Economist. 2013-11-08.
  19. ↑ "Una Tragedia Ocultada" (PDF). Polificcion.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  20. ↑ "Signs of uncontacted Indians seen as forest is cleared around them". Survival-international.org. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
  21. ↑ Legal battle over forest is victory for Paraguayan Indians, CNN
  22. ↑ "Protect Uncontacted Tribe's Land!". Scoop.co.nz. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
  23. ↑ "Survival names winner of 'Greenwashing Award' 2010". Survival International. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  24. ↑ "Mashco-Piro 'uncontacted' Peruvian tribe pictured". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
  25. ↑ "Roads, Gas, and the Uncontacted People of the Peruvian Amazon". Geocurrents. Retrieved 2015-07-24.

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