First view of a newly discovered tribe of indigenous Brazilians

[BurtWorm]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7427417.stm

What do the pictures tell us about the Amazonian tribe?

Although we do not know the name of the recently discovered tribe in Brazil, or what language they speak, it is possible to tease out some clues as to their way of life from the aerial photographs taken by the Brazilian government. Fiona Watson, from the campaign group Survival International, uses her experience gained during 20 years of visiting the region, to take us through the details.

...


TWO MEN

These men are trying to drive off the plane from which these photographs were taken. They are firing their bows at the aircraft, which had returned to fly over the settlement for a second time, after making a first pass some hours earlier.

The men have large bows made from forest hardwood, which they use to hunt for animals including tapirs, monkeys, deer, wild pigs and other small mammals.

They have also painted themselves with the red dye, urucum, commonly used by tribes in the Amazon. It is made from the seeds of a fruit similar to the horse chestnut. The seeds are ground into a paste to form the dye.

The body paint is most likely a show of aggression, possibly in response to the plane's first flyover.


WOMAN

The black figure may be a woman, although it is impossible to be certain. That this person is not carrying a bow hints in this direction. The black body paint is called genipapo, and is made from fruit. Like the red dye it is likely to be an aggressive display.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7426794.stm

[lame54]

1. Now that we found 'em - kiss 'em goodbye

[BurtWorm]

3. How many years before they're wearing Nikes on their feet?

Or stitching them together, for that matter?

[DangerDave921]

6. Nikes may be what they want

They're pretty comfortable for long walks in the woods.

[YOY]

10. Two words: Jungle Rot (also called Trench Foot)

Barefoot with tough soles has it's advantages here.

[H2O Man]

9. They need a McDonalds.

I had read about this earlier this morning. Very interesting.

[pingzing58]

13. And living in shanty towns outside an industrialized city sifting through garbage!

[Bunny]

2. Oh my god that's incredible!

It's hard to believe that there are still 'undiscovered' tribes anywhere. This is just fascinating. I hope we don't go in there and screw things up for them.

[closeupready]

5. They're good as gone, now.

n/t

[DangerDave921]

4. Take action now, Mr. Bush

Based on these intelligence photos, it is clear that this tribe is an aggressor that poses a direct threat to the safety of the American people. They could sell those bows to terrorists, or could be hiding terrorists within their borders. Rather than wait until it is too late, we must take action now to eliminate this threat.

[Indenturedebtor]

12. Nonono they clearly need some missionary soldiers to kill their culture and give them jeebuslove n/t

[MedleyMisty]

7. Why couldn't I have been born there?

I'd take the shorter lifespan and the hard work and the lack of contraception if it meant owning myself - I may be a house slave now instead of a field slave like when I worked at Arby's, but I'm still a slave.

They seem to get food and shelter and some clothing without having to kill their souls for it.

[DangerDave921]

21. Nothing stopping you

Get out to the wilds of Alaska or the western US and get your life going. Or venture off to the wilds of South America and make a go of it. I applaud your desire for freedom. We have lost that in America because we insist on being taken care of.

I caution people not to overly romanticize indigenous tribes. From the outside, it's easy to assume they are happy peacful people, and that the life is more rewarding than our lives. But all the advances that have taken hold over the past few hundred years did so for a reason -- because people wanted those things. Technology that makes life easier or more comfortable will be latched on to.

[Lars39]

8. This reads like a Krippendorf's Tribe.

[Myrina]

11. ... frightening to think that they probably believe we're "Gods" ...

... on the other hand, it opens an interesting window of possibility that other earlier tribes who also encountered 'advanced beings' also considered them 'Gods' and thus can dispel the whole 'Angels ascending from on high' myths contained in most religions.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I do believe 'God' was in all actuality, a little green man from another planet/universe. :)

[RebelOne]

15. If they thought we were gods, they wouldn't be shooting arrows.

Probably think we are demons in the air.

[MuseRider]

18. Considering what is likely to happen

to them now that we know about them they would be correct in that assumption. How long before we send in folks to teach them about Jesus so that they can get away from their heathen existence?

[Ghost in the Machine]

19. I agree with you 100%.. it's been my working hypothesis for years

Imagine dropping Cris Angel, or any other magician, in on their tribe. Would he be considered Jesus?

[BlooInBloo]

14. Real-life Guns, Germs, Steel stuff - cool!

[Blue_Tires]

16. maybe the last time in recorded history for us to do the right thing

and leave them the hell alone...

i must admit i'm a cynical and untrusting type, and to me something feels hoax-y about this

[Ichingcarpenter]

17. 21st Century Survivalist not dependent on Exxon or the Supermarket

I bet they also know about local plants that we have never seen or heard of
which have nutritional and medicinal properties which science hasn't discovered.

I hope Brazil is very careful on how they contact this tribe and gives them
Indigenous ASAP.

I know........ its already too late.

[DangerDave921]

20. Magellan

He had contact with Indian tribes in Brazil in 1520. Proabably not that much different from today, despite 500 years of time that has passed. Amazing stuff.