Comments | anthropologist: Tribe found in the Amazon

sunnytea in anthropologist

Tribe found in the Amazon

May 30, 2008 14:29

SMH May 30, 2008 - 10:54AM

One of Brazil's last uncontacted Indian tribes has been spotted in the far western Amazon jungle near the Peruvian border, the National Indian Foundation said yesterday.

The Indians were sighted in an Ethno-Environmental Protected Area along the Envira River in flights over remote Acre state, said the government foundation ( Read more... )

amazon, brazil, tribes

Comments 16

evrymeevryyou May 30 2008, 07:54:44 UTC

Do you think this tribe is really completely "uncontacted" and "autonomous"? I have trouble believing that they've never seen people outside their tribe...

I'm also grappling with the issue of the government forcing them to stay uncontacted. Contact doesn't necessarily mean an end to their way of life, right? If done correctly, it can open up both sides to so much information and different ideas.

Sorry I don't feel very coherent right now, I've used all my intellectual ability over the past few days wrapping up the school year.. but I'm interested in other responses.

yh_tac May 30 2008, 09:53:11 UTC

It's true, and I wonder, if they really are 'uncontacted', what would they think if they found out about the rest of the world - I mean, to what extent would they choose to stay autonomous in their way of life and to what extent would they want to use modern technology and the rest?

I only ask because this reminds me of the book Xenocide by Orson Scott Card and makes me wonder about how ethical/unethical it is to keep them ignorant about the world. Do they deserve the right to make an informed decision? If so, are we denying this right for the sake of science or anthropology or paternalism?

mindfulness May 30 2008, 10:17:48 UTC

Well, many contacts lead to deaths due to diseases that the uncontacted have no resistance to. That could be a reason but there are probably others.

Then, there's the case of the desert people the Pintupi in Australia. A uncontacted family of whom, when contacted and introduced to the availabllity of food in town and water coming out of pipes, ritually beat with sticks those other Pintupi who knew about this food and water but hadn't shared it with them. However one of the family, the youngest male, Wari Wari, returned to the desert after a couple of years in town.

So who knows what they want? And how will contacting them harm and help them? And how do we contact them? With a team of anthropologists, through other tribes who know them, with reality television hosts, with proseletysing missionaries? And will a decision be unanimous and really informed? Will they get an only positive description of the global culture, or will all our evils be shown to them also?

mindfulness May 30 2008, 10:22:17 UTC

And I'd as an example scenario, if I was a gay person in an uncontacted tribe which treated gay people with respect and yet was faced with an outside culture that criminalised and attacked gays I think I'd be strongly tempted to choose no contact. So while members of my tribe my see the appeal of contact, I may not.

Thread 6

stateofwonder May 30 2008, 10:40:19 UTC

The term "accompanied" as used here seems wrong to me. Photographing people who are unaware of your presence and selling/releasing the photos to journalists -- I don't know, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Like they're there to be observed and romanticized and for the world to gawk at.

Anyway, it raises a lot of questions. To what extent is this governmental organization simply attempting to protect their land rights, and to what extent is it covertly studying them? How do they know that the people they photographed are "strong and healthy warriors"? Whatever happened to prior informed consent? Are they really uncontacted if you fly over them with a plane?

Does this remind anyone else of the Truman Show?

Also, are there seriously 100 uncontacted tribes? That's kind of amazing if it's true.

Skeptical former anthropology student.... bridgekat May 30 2008, 10:43:43 UTC

I find it hard to believe that they have had no contact with the outside world or with another tribe that has contact with outside world...feels very Tasaday to me...

What I find even less believable is the fact that they are painted head to toe (I presume they are painted as they are orange) painting of this kind is usually reserved for rituals and not worn on a daily basis is it not? I know this may not be the case but if they are truly undiscovered it may be the norm in the society but body painting takes time and I would thinking hunting gathering or even agriculture would take precedence over body paint. It is also very convenient for the photographers to be flying over when they were prepared with bows and arrows. If they are isolated why would they be ready? Or are they usually in fear of the skies??

Re: Skeptical former anthropology student.... justmyself May 30 2008, 11:22:01 UTC

For every reason you stated and more, my very first thought was this is some kind of publicity stunt or a practical joke.

Re: Skeptical former anthropology student.... mananath May 30 2008, 13:58:17 UTC

The plane has actually discovered the location of Oompaloompa Land.

Re: Skeptical former anthropology student.... theamaranth May 30 2008, 14:32:32 UTC

I WANT AN OOMPA LOOMPAH NOOOOOOOOOW!

Thread 6

merry_fitzmas May 31 2008, 21:02:44 UTC

So who else thinks they're descendents of the survivors of Oceanic 815?

mintmilanos June 1 2008, 17:32:07 UTC

me, totally.

bridgekat June 3 2008, 15:16:56 UTC

I understand that there is no such thing as observation in a situation like this but they have already been disturbed not that I would condone further interaction either. I don't think anyone has the right to say leave them alone and on the other side who has the right to interfere 'to make things better'. Which begs the question what if they carry out practices that the un charter of human rights is there to protect people from? Do these people deserve less rights simply because they are isolated?? I'm not suggesting that their way of life be destroyed or diluted for the sake of politics or for face value I really mean that deserve the same rights. I know there are many other places and peoples that are deprived of their rights. Its a very complex issue. What I think they really need is a government with their interests at heart not a logging company's. A government that is willing to put time and effort into researching the best options for these people. Be it isolation or otherwise ( ... )