Photographer Accidentally Captures an Isolated Amazon Tribe

Brazilian photographer Ricardo Stuckert published a series of photographs that he accidentally took during the flight above the Amazon forest, The Guardian writes. He says that the helicopter that he was on was in this area because it was avoiding a rain cloud: at some point, Stuckert noticed a small settlement below and the locals who were watching the helicopter.

“I took the camera and started photographing,” the author of the photographs said. “I didn’t have much time to imagine what was happening.” After Stuckert took several photographs, the helicopter left, but came back after several hours — and if the first time the tribe panicked when they saw strangers, the reaction was calmer the second time around.

“They seemed more inquisitive than fearful. I felt there was a mutual curiosity, on their part and mine.” Stuckert said. “I felt like I was a painter in the last century. To think that in the 21st century, there are still people who have no contact with civilization, living like their ancestors did 20,000 years ago — it’s a powerful emotion.”

According to José Carlos Meirelles, an expert in Brazil’s indigenous people, there are several such groups in the area where the photographs were taken. “We call them the Indians of the headwaters of the river Humaita. They never made contact with anyone, we have no idea what language they talk and who they are. Fortunately we don’t know. The day we find out they will start to have problems.”