Man has landed on moon and ventured deep into oceans. It is hard to believe that there are places right here on this planet, where mankind has still not been able to plant its stamp of modernization. According to a research there are almost a hundred ‘lost tribes’ that don’t have any contact with the outside world, or rather the outside world has failed to breach the barriers of their secured life and they are still holding on to their ancient cultures and languages in rainforests around the globe.

Amazon rainforest is one such place, with Brazil having the most number of indigenous tribes. The forest not only provides sanctuary to millions of plants and animals but is also home to many indigenous tribes. Even though the population is thinning in these tribes still their loyalties with their roots are as intact as ever. For people living in the technological world, the lifestyle of these tribes is nothing less than a shock, on the other hand, experts in the field believe that these people willingly choose to avoid us, civilized being, for unknown reason, one of which might be that since companies and countries had gotten in to their habitat they have caused more pain than gain like diseases and logging the forests.

Looking at their life style, it is quite obvious that they do not enjoy the creature comforts that we take for granted; a solid brick walled house, a car to more us from point A to B or the ‘essentials’ like TV , computer, dishwasher, microwave, a simple gas stove or even a tap with running water. They are more in touch with nature, having leaves and straws as the main construction material, as well as clothing items, if they feel like having any. For food they rely on hunting and farming both. The forest is a major source of food and is the basis of their medical system. As long as we are discussing eating habits, its worth mentioning that some still enjoy human meat.

Hygiene is another interesting aspect of tribal living. Lets just say they are normally not very keen on taking baths, so much so that some have a custom that females do not use water for cleaning… ever! Instead they use mud.

Of course, they do not have any formal schooling for the young, rather the elders have the responsibility to teach them the art of survival and inculcate the age old traditions in their next generations.

Not all of the Amazon tribes these days live in this type of seclusion. Civilization is slowly catching up and the main Amazon tribes have come into contact with modern man, his money and machines and are slowly getting absorbed by the Brazilian culture. A major problem facing these tribes now is a type of brain drain. Their youth are moving to the cities and becoming part of the cheap work force which has seriously depleted their population.

Whether you find their life style and customs archaic or fascinating, one thing is for sure, they are our last link with the past and the point of comparison between the old and modem man and provide a very different type of diversity to the human race.

UPDATE: A lot of readers are asking for further information regarding tribes. I’ve compiled a list below:

Amazon tribes information page - Some general information on tribes of the Amazon.
Nukak tribe - from Survival International website.
Akuntsu and Kanoê tribe - from Survival International website.
Enawene Nawe tribe - from Survival International website.
Uncontacted Indians - from Survival International website.
Awa tribe - from Survival International website.
Tribes - Full list of tribes from the Survival International website.
Tribal news - News regarding Amazon and other indeginous tribes around the world.
Incredible pictures of last uncontacted tribe - Amazing photos of the last uncontacted tribe on earth taken in the Amazon’s Peruvian-Brazilian border. Make sure you check out the gallery at the bottom of the page.