It's amazing that they still exist at all...
These incredible people live just as they have for thousands of years, with the majority being situated in Brazil, Peru and New Guinea.
I find this subject fascinating, and have been scouring the internet for information. I have included the highlights of what I have learnt on this page, and I hope you find it as interesting as I do!
Recommended reading. An exclusive interview with the expedition leader
Meirelles has been looking for uncontacted tribes in the Amazon for 37 years, as he is one of approximately five "sertanistas" living and working in Brazil.
His story is fascinating. He lives in a region of the Amazon that is seven days from the nearest town by boat, and he was also instrumental in causing the Brazilian government to change their policy from one of integrating tribes into the rest of the population to one of "no contact".
Check out the story right here.
Uncontacted Tribes in the news
- BBC News: In pictures: Brazil tribe
- Slideshow with pictures of an uncontacted tribe in Brazil.
- Lost tribe discovered deep in Amazon: officials
- Quote - "SAO PAULO (AFP) - Dramatic images of an isolated Brazilian tribe believed never to have had contact with the outside world were published by officials Friday to draw attention to threats posed to their way of life.
The pictures, released by the Brazilian government's National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), showed alarmed natives pointing bows and arrows at the aircraft carrying photographers." - French company in legal battle over uncontacted tribes
- Quote - "A French company is locked in a legal battle with Amazon Indians over its plans to drill for oil in parts of the jungle inhabited by some of the world's last uncontacted tribes. A hearing is due on 30 May.
The company, Perenco, is working in a remote part of the Peruvian Amazon where at least two uncontacted tribes live. It is believed to be the biggest oil find in Peru in thirty years and the Peruvian president, Alan Garcia, has expressed hopes it will transform the Peruvian economy." - Spanish celebrities join campaign for uncontacted tribes
- Quote - "'(They) are the most vulnerable people on the planet. If their land and rights to live there are not protected, they will disappear.'"
- Editorial - Do Not Contact the Uncontacted
- Quote - "While it may be tempting to "map" their history and determine how they have existed, and still exist, previous attempts to do so with other tribes have resulted in catastrophe."
First Contact - BBC Documentary
Mark Anstice joins a tourist operator offering high paying tourists the chance to potentially make first contact with tribes in PNG. But is it real or fake?
First Contact (BBC4 Anthropology Season) - Part 1 of 6
Adventurous and high-paying tourists are being offered the chance to make "first contact" with some of the world's last remaining uncontacted tribes. First contact with the outside world usually spells disaster for genuine uncontacted tribes. Presented by Mark Anstice, an experienced expedition leader and author of a book also called First Contact, this film looks at the complex issues surrounding the ethics of first contact and meets the people involved.
curated content from YouTube
First Contact by Mark Anstice
Poll: First Contact
News Feed from Survival International
Survival International is "The movement for tribal peoples". They are one of the foremost authorities on uncontacted tribes, and run various awareness campaigns on behalf of indigenous tribes all over the world.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySome great books related to uncontacted tribes!
Entangled Edens: Visions of the Amazon
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Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/20/2009) 
Uncontacted Peoples on Wikipedia
This Wikipedia page has some great sections listing the locations of known and suspected uncontacted tribes, as well as their estimated population levels. It makes for some fascinating reading, just click on the link below to take a look.
Category: File - :Uncontacted peoples.svg|thumb|States containing uncontacted peoples
Uncontacted peoples are peoples who, either by choice or chance, live, or have lived, without significant contact with the connected civilizations of the world.
Recent usage favors the term "isolated" rather than "uncontacted" as few peoples have remained totally uncontacted by modern civilization, but a number have chosen to make contact either exceedingly difficult or dangerous. Many indigenous rights activists call for such groups to be left alone in respect of their right to self-determination.
A problem with making contact with isolated peoples is that they may lack any immunity to common diseases which explorers trying to make contact with them will inevitably carry. This can have severe consequences as normally minor diseases, such as the chicken pox, can be deadly when no natural immunity exists.Isolated tribe spotted in Brazil
Action Against Hunger
The latest news about uncontacted tribes
- 'Man in the Hole', lone survivor of Amazon tribe massacre, escapes ranchers ...
- Many tribes in the area had been reduced to a few isolated members, she said, adding: ?If there's an uncontacted tribe there, nobody really knows exactly ...
- WORLD: Ranchers bulldozing uncontacted tribe reserve
- ISSUE 192, December 10, 2009: A group of Brazilian ranchers are bulldozing a UNESCO reserve inhabited by an Indigenous Indian tribe with no prior contact ...
Guestbook
Got a story to share? Are you as intrigued by these people as I am? Anything you want to say, say it here!
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- Joan4 Joan4 Aug 16, 2008 @ 6:40 am
- Wow! Fascinating read! Have to admit, I did not know these tribes existed anymore. Agree with chefkeem, we need to focus on learning from each other, rather than "converting" other people to our lifestyle. wow!
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Reply
- chefkeem chefkeem Jul 4, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
- Fascinating lens. I once read a book about the spiritual wisdom of Aborigin tribes. We all could learn so much from each other if we'd just stop thinking that we know anything... 5*s
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- Amanda_Blue Amanda_Blue Jun 16, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
- A fascinating subject admirably revealed by you! Thank you!
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- carrieokier carrieokier Jun 10, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
- Very interesting stuff. Nice job on your lens!
See these beautiful regions of the globe for yourself!
Peru In Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (In Focus Guides)
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Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 12/20/2009)
Papua New Guinea (Lonely Planet Travel Guides)
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Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Insight Guide Brazil (Insight Guides Brazil)
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Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 12/20/2009)
by Kanga
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