Expert claims isolated tribe was known in Brazil

World

Monday, June 23, 2008

An expert working for the Brazilian government says he distributed photos of an isolated tribe to raise awareness of illegal logging of Indian lands.

The Brazilian National Indian Foundation, a government agency known as Funai, said the small tribe was not previously known to outsiders. But José Carlos Meirelles said the group has been documented as far back as 1910.

Meirelles said he purposely flew over the area where the tribe lives in order to take the photos, which made international news last month. "When I saw them painted red, I was satisfied, I was happy," he told The Guardian. "'Because painted red means they are ready for war, which to me says they are happy and healthy defending their territory."

Tribes in the Amazon face constant threats from illegal loggers and miners.

Get the Story:
Secret of the 'lost' tribe that wasn't (The Guardian 6/23)