![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd7b42f597.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcf4b95410.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd089200dd.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceafb2691.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcde3a6122.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceaf6c1a8.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceb5bd21e.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceb621e39.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceafb3747.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceafe0a2a.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcf46e802c.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd36963b69.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd0fe591f2.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceb80db6e.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcf462675f.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcda53a47e.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcf45efa17.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceaf2f949.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd2dfcb5cc.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd28047595.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcf464dd41.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcf46241fe.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd489960f1.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceb56f3eb.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd0e25225e.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbceb518cb5.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbd0e20ab03.jpg)
![An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66bbcf46a63e2.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Reuters/Getty Images
0 / 28 Fotos
Munduruku warriors
- Earlier in 2024, 50 warriors from the Munduruku tribe journeyed into the thick foliage of the Amazon rainforest to do something that the Brazilian government has not: to mark the borders of their ancestral lands.
© Reuters
1 / 28 Fotos
A difficult mission
- The efforts of the Munduruku warriors has been a long-standing battle for official recognition and protection against illegal logging, mining, and government projects.
© Getty Images
2 / 28 Fotos
Defiant border marking
- The Munduruku carved a 20-foot-(6-m-)wide path through dense jungle, posting signs declaring their land as protected. This act of defiance has truly underpinned the tribe’s determination to claim their territory despite the government’s neglect of their rights.
© Reuters
3 / 28 Fotos
Leadership
- Juarez Saw, the chief of the Sawre Muybu territory, criticized the Brazilian government for failing to demarcate Indigenous lands. He has stressed that this responsibility should not fall on the Munduruku, who have now been forced to take matters into their own hands.
© Reuters
4 / 28 Fotos
Shortcomings
- Brazil’s Indigenous affairs agency, Funai, has said that staffing shortages are at the root of its failure to demarcate lands. The agency’s inefficiency has left Indigenous territories vulnerable to exploitation and encroachment.
© Reuters
5 / 28 Fotos
Community
- The expedition to mark the borders included not only warriors but also women and children from the village. While the men cleared the land, the women prepared food, all in a collective effort of community spirit.
© Reuters
6 / 28 Fotos
Life in the jungle
- In the jungle, the Munduruku live harmoniously with their environment. They hunt for food, cook meals, and the children play in the rivers, all of which highlight their deep connection with the land and traditions.
© Reuters
7 / 28 Fotos
Decades of struggle
- The Munduruku have fought to protect their land for some 25 years, maintaining and reclearing the borders to prevent overgrowth and keep invaders at bay. They have continuously struggled against ongoing threats and constant illegal activities.
© Reuters
8 / 28 Fotos
Environment
- The Sawre Muybu territory is critical not only for the Munduruku but also for global environmental efforts. The Amazon rainforest, of which their land is a part, plays a vital role in slowing global warming. Its protection is crucial.
© Reuters
9 / 28 Fotos
Mercury contamination
- One of the ways that the environment in the area has been damaged is through illegal gold mining, which has led to mercury poisoning in the rivers. These toxins have contaminated the fish that the Munduruku rely on for sustenance.
© Reuters
10 / 28 Fotos
A hollow promise
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vowed to restart the process of recognizing Indigenous territories. However, the progress has been slow, and many areas (including Sawre Muybu) have been left without vital protection.
© Getty Images
11 / 28 Fotos
Slow recognition
- Since President Lula took office again in 2023, only 10 new Indigenous reservations have been recognized, with 62 Indigenous territories still awaiting his signature, and 200 more under study. This slow process leaves many communities exposed to destructive exploitation.
© Getty Images
12 / 28 Fotos
Conservative backlash
- Lula’s efforts to demarcate Indigenous lands have faced opposition from a conservative Congress, the farm lobby, and political allies who prioritize the development of roads and railways in the Amazon over Indigenous rights.
© Reuters
13 / 28 Fotos
Hydroelectric dam
- One major threat faced by Indigenous tribes is a plan to build an 8,000-megawatt hydroelectric dam in the forest, which could flood much of the Sawre Muybu territory. Although it was shelved in 2016, recent moves by the power company Eletrobras suggest the project may be revived.
© Reuters
14 / 28 Fotos
Railway project
- The Munduruku are also concerned about a proposed 620-mile (1,000-km) railway intended to transport grain from Mato Grosso to a port on the Tapajos. They fear the railway could facilitate greater access to their land for illegal activities.
© Reuters
15 / 28 Fotos
Spread thin
- The middle and upper reaches of Brazil’s Tapajos river has been home to the Munduruku for thousands of years. There are 17,000 of them stretched over 11 territories, only two of which have full legal recognition.
© Reuters
16 / 28 Fotos
Demand for rights
- Alessandra Munduruku (a tribe member and activist, pictured) stated that the Munduruku are not asking for favors but are demanding their constitutional rights. Her words reflect the tribe’s resolve to continue fighting for official recognition and protection of their territory.
© Reuters
17 / 28 Fotos
Miners
- The Munduruku also encountered illegal gold miners during their journey. Although these encounters were tense, they remained peaceful. The tribe has often displayed restraint and commitment to avoiding unnecessary conflict while defending their land.
© Reuters
18 / 28 Fotos
Cultural preservation
- The Munduruku’s efforts to mark and protect their land are also a fight to preserve their culture and way of life. Their traditions are closely tied to their land, and losing it would mean losing a crucial part of their identity.
© Reuters
19 / 28 Fotos
Resilience
- Many people around the world can actually find a lesson in the resilience of the Munduruku. In the face of government neglect and external threats, their dedication to safeguarding their land and culture is a testament of strength.
© Reuters
20 / 28 Fotos
Historical struggles
- The Munduruku’s current battle is part of a long history of Indigenous struggles in Brazil. For centuries, they have faced exploitation and displacement, making their fight for recognition a continuation of a much older resistance.
© Reuters
21 / 28 Fotos
Deforestation
- The Amazon is under severe threat from deforestation due to logging, agriculture, and mining. This destruction not only endangers wildlife but also accelerates climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. The Munduruku are an active deterrent to this.
© Getty Images
22 / 28 Fotos
Environmental advocacy
- Environmentalists have argued that Indigenous peoples like the Munduruku are the best guardians of the Amazon. Their knowledge, practices, and connection to the land are essential in preserving the rainforest.
© Reuters
23 / 28 Fotos
Future of the Amazon
- The future of the Amazon rainforest is closely tied to the fate of its Indigenous peoples. Protecting the Munduruku’s land is not just about their rights but also about ensuring the survival of one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.
© Getty Images
24 / 28 Fotos
Biodiversity hotspot
- The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest, housing an estimated 10% of all known species, including countless plants, animals, and insects, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
© Reuters
25 / 28 Fotos
Lungs of the Earth
- Often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon produces about 20% of the world's oxygen, although this is an oversimplification of its complex role in global oxygen and carbon cycles. The rainforest is the foundation for many climates around the planet.
© Getty Images
26 / 28 Fotos
Call to action
- The Munduruku’s story is a call to action for the Brazilian government and the global community. There is truly an urgent need to protect Indigenous lands and, by extension, the Amazon rainforest, for the sake of the planet’s future. Sources: (Reuters)
© Reuters
27 / 28 Fotos
© Reuters/Getty Images
0 / 28 Fotos
Munduruku warriors
- Earlier in 2024, 50 warriors from the Munduruku tribe journeyed into the thick foliage of the Amazon rainforest to do something that the Brazilian government has not: to mark the borders of their ancestral lands.
© Reuters
1 / 28 Fotos
A difficult mission
- The efforts of the Munduruku warriors has been a long-standing battle for official recognition and protection against illegal logging, mining, and government projects.
© Getty Images
2 / 28 Fotos
Defiant border marking
- The Munduruku carved a 20-foot-(6-m-)wide path through dense jungle, posting signs declaring their land as protected. This act of defiance has truly underpinned the tribe’s determination to claim their territory despite the government’s neglect of their rights.
© Reuters
3 / 28 Fotos
Leadership
- Juarez Saw, the chief of the Sawre Muybu territory, criticized the Brazilian government for failing to demarcate Indigenous lands. He has stressed that this responsibility should not fall on the Munduruku, who have now been forced to take matters into their own hands.
© Reuters
4 / 28 Fotos
Shortcomings
- Brazil’s Indigenous affairs agency, Funai, has said that staffing shortages are at the root of its failure to demarcate lands. The agency’s inefficiency has left Indigenous territories vulnerable to exploitation and encroachment.
© Reuters
5 / 28 Fotos
Community
- The expedition to mark the borders included not only warriors but also women and children from the village. While the men cleared the land, the women prepared food, all in a collective effort of community spirit.
© Reuters
6 / 28 Fotos
Life in the jungle
- In the jungle, the Munduruku live harmoniously with their environment. They hunt for food, cook meals, and the children play in the rivers, all of which highlight their deep connection with the land and traditions.
© Reuters
7 / 28 Fotos
Decades of struggle
- The Munduruku have fought to protect their land for some 25 years, maintaining and reclearing the borders to prevent overgrowth and keep invaders at bay. They have continuously struggled against ongoing threats and constant illegal activities.
© Reuters
8 / 28 Fotos
Environment
- The Sawre Muybu territory is critical not only for the Munduruku but also for global environmental efforts. The Amazon rainforest, of which their land is a part, plays a vital role in slowing global warming. Its protection is crucial.
© Reuters
9 / 28 Fotos
Mercury contamination
- One of the ways that the environment in the area has been damaged is through illegal gold mining, which has led to mercury poisoning in the rivers. These toxins have contaminated the fish that the Munduruku rely on for sustenance.
© Reuters
10 / 28 Fotos
A hollow promise
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vowed to restart the process of recognizing Indigenous territories. However, the progress has been slow, and many areas (including Sawre Muybu) have been left without vital protection.
© Getty Images
11 / 28 Fotos
Slow recognition
- Since President Lula took office again in 2023, only 10 new Indigenous reservations have been recognized, with 62 Indigenous territories still awaiting his signature, and 200 more under study. This slow process leaves many communities exposed to destructive exploitation.
© Getty Images
12 / 28 Fotos
Conservative backlash
- Lula’s efforts to demarcate Indigenous lands have faced opposition from a conservative Congress, the farm lobby, and political allies who prioritize the development of roads and railways in the Amazon over Indigenous rights.
© Reuters
13 / 28 Fotos
Hydroelectric dam
- One major threat faced by Indigenous tribes is a plan to build an 8,000-megawatt hydroelectric dam in the forest, which could flood much of the Sawre Muybu territory. Although it was shelved in 2016, recent moves by the power company Eletrobras suggest the project may be revived.
© Reuters
14 / 28 Fotos
Railway project
- The Munduruku are also concerned about a proposed 620-mile (1,000-km) railway intended to transport grain from Mato Grosso to a port on the Tapajos. They fear the railway could facilitate greater access to their land for illegal activities.
© Reuters
15 / 28 Fotos
Spread thin
- The middle and upper reaches of Brazil’s Tapajos river has been home to the Munduruku for thousands of years. There are 17,000 of them stretched over 11 territories, only two of which have full legal recognition.
© Reuters
16 / 28 Fotos
Demand for rights
- Alessandra Munduruku (a tribe member and activist, pictured) stated that the Munduruku are not asking for favors but are demanding their constitutional rights. Her words reflect the tribe’s resolve to continue fighting for official recognition and protection of their territory.
© Reuters
17 / 28 Fotos
Miners
- The Munduruku also encountered illegal gold miners during their journey. Although these encounters were tense, they remained peaceful. The tribe has often displayed restraint and commitment to avoiding unnecessary conflict while defending their land.
© Reuters
18 / 28 Fotos
Cultural preservation
- The Munduruku’s efforts to mark and protect their land are also a fight to preserve their culture and way of life. Their traditions are closely tied to their land, and losing it would mean losing a crucial part of their identity.
© Reuters
19 / 28 Fotos
Resilience
- Many people around the world can actually find a lesson in the resilience of the Munduruku. In the face of government neglect and external threats, their dedication to safeguarding their land and culture is a testament of strength.
© Reuters
20 / 28 Fotos
Historical struggles
- The Munduruku’s current battle is part of a long history of Indigenous struggles in Brazil. For centuries, they have faced exploitation and displacement, making their fight for recognition a continuation of a much older resistance.
© Reuters
21 / 28 Fotos
Deforestation
- The Amazon is under severe threat from deforestation due to logging, agriculture, and mining. This destruction not only endangers wildlife but also accelerates climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. The Munduruku are an active deterrent to this.
© Getty Images
22 / 28 Fotos
Environmental advocacy
- Environmentalists have argued that Indigenous peoples like the Munduruku are the best guardians of the Amazon. Their knowledge, practices, and connection to the land are essential in preserving the rainforest.
© Reuters
23 / 28 Fotos
Future of the Amazon
- The future of the Amazon rainforest is closely tied to the fate of its Indigenous peoples. Protecting the Munduruku’s land is not just about their rights but also about ensuring the survival of one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.
© Getty Images
24 / 28 Fotos
Biodiversity hotspot
- The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest, housing an estimated 10% of all known species, including countless plants, animals, and insects, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
© Reuters
25 / 28 Fotos
Lungs of the Earth
- Often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon produces about 20% of the world's oxygen, although this is an oversimplification of its complex role in global oxygen and carbon cycles. The rainforest is the foundation for many climates around the planet.
© Getty Images
26 / 28 Fotos
Call to action
- The Munduruku’s story is a call to action for the Brazilian government and the global community. There is truly an urgent need to protect Indigenous lands and, by extension, the Amazon rainforest, for the sake of the planet’s future. Sources: (Reuters)
© Reuters
27 / 28 Fotos
An Indigenous tribe’s struggle to protect their land in the Amazon
A tribe's battle against a world of modernization
© Reuters/Getty Images
Nestled deep in the Amazon rainforest of South America are dozens of Indigenous tribes whose way of life is being threatened. As the world attempts to expand its cities and borders across every corner of the globe, these tribes are finding it difficult to maintain their borders and their traditions. To make matters worse, their governments aren’t taking any action to ensure that this security is put in place.
One such tribe, known as the Munduruku, has taken matters into their own hands. They have journeyed around their territory and demarcated the area themselves, since they have been unable to rely on their government to do so. But is this the end of the disputes? Or do they still face threats from outside? Click through the following gallery to see what has happened.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![30 rules to teach your kids while they’re young](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66defb236e65d.jpg)
![Astronauts who have been in space the longest](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66df185033e6a.jpg)
![Is 'Monk Mode' the productivity hack between you and your goals?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e175790f3cf.jpg)
![Shocking moments from past political conventions](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e1730a1ad2c.jpg)
![Spiritual methods to attract more luck into your life](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e16bf8e6496.jpg)
![The top 30 things you can accomplish in 30 minutes or less](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e1699ebc109.jpg)
![NASA reveals what happens if you fall into a black hole](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e165ae1d850.jpg)
![Things about 9/11 that still don't make sense](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e1635a587b1.jpg)
![How pit bulls got a bad reputation](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9cc5c4ac01.jpg)
![What’s the difference between a tornado watch and a warning?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e1736ec2291.jpg)
![The far-reaching use of radar](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dd9cc6b3efb.jpg)
![The weirdest things these countries are the best at](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d97fc9a5c1e.jpg)
![The world's most famous stolen paintings](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e1604d4eaa8.jpg)
![How to clean your fridge like a pro](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e0808e15677.jpg)
![Bizarre ways ancient Greeks and Romans predicted the future](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cf4adcc6d85.jpg)
![30 easy steps to save money every month](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e0562fd310c.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e02526e9f78.jpg)
![Why roller coaster loops aren’t circular](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d87042446f3.jpg)
![What you might not know about Democratic voters](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e051dc9fbae.jpg)
![What you might not know about Republican voters](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e050993d6fa.jpg)
![The most (and least) expensive countries in the EU](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66deceb8d4348.jpg)
![A parent's guide to raising emotionally intelligent children](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e0329ddb080.jpg)
![The secrets to networking for introverts](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e0283261d2e.jpg)
![Beyond basics: 30 interview questions that can help get you hired](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e02e5c6d72e.jpg)
![Common medical conditions in cats and dogs](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e02f87493d3.jpg)
![Is AI the future of the Three Mile Island nuclear facility?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e02ad7f3c7c.jpg)
![What is dry drowning?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db11d379a0c.jpg)
![The worst injuries in Olympic history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dffce38acf4.jpg)
![Exploring the pros and cons of Montessori education](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e012c88d195.jpg)
![Who exactly are the Māori?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dc640de8808.jpg)
![Behind the race to mine the bottom of the ocean](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dae3dd36418.jpg)
![What was life like in 1920s America?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d869779f9ef.jpg)
![The times America closed its borders to immigrants](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5945d225f5.jpg)
![Why is flying becoming more dangerous?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db2965e1d5a.jpg)
![Reasons why you didn't get a second date](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db25335eca8.jpg)
![US cities where you can buy a house for less than US$100K](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db243b097db.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week