Indigenous Tribes of the Amazon Rainforest

Tessa Erickson-Thoemke

Tribes

There are over 200 different indigenous tribes in the Amazon Rainforest.

Each group speaks a version of their own language. There are about 180 different languages spoken in the Amazon alone.

About 50 of these tribes keep away from the “outsides”. They wish to be left alone and they don’t allow visitors to come.

Some groups are nomads and do not settle in one place for very long.

Other groups might stay in one area for centuries.

History

The indigenous tribes in all of South America have disappeared or been torn apart by the colonization process, alcohol, forced labor, disease, and war.

The Amazon Rainforest was a giant refugee for these people for a long period of time.

This rainforest remained untouched by the western culture until the first half of the last century.

This is why so many tribes live in the Amazon.

Kuarup

Kuarup is the biggest indigenous festival in the world.

It happens annually and takes place in July or August.

This festival brings many different tribes together to honor their dead and celebrate.

It is a huge demonstration of indigenous dance, music, rituals and food.

Kuarup can occasionally be seen by outsiders, but not often. It depends on the mood and willingness of the tribe leaders.

These totems honor the dead.

Instruments being played at the festival.

Dances

Facts

The sizes of the tribes are very different. There could be one tribe of over 2000 people, and another of less than 300.

The numbers of these tribes is actually increasing. This means that the people are able to live in their separated lands after being destroyed for the past five centuries.

The tribes that do not wish to interact with the outsiders have to keep moving deeper and deeper into the Amazon as the outsiders move closer. Very little is known about these tribes.

These men have feather headdresses on, and their bodies are painted for the big festival.

They are a part of the Yamomami tribe.

Brazilian family

This Amazon tribe has very limited contact with the outside world. They are one of the few groups that do not wish to live with the outsiders.