Wild tribes of the Amazon. Modern life of Amazon tribes

In the age of asphalt, concrete and computer technology, we do not think much about the fact that there are whole civilizations developing parallel to ours. They have no idea about such phenomena as the economic crisis, but are familiar with the consequences of floods or drought. They do not know how to use calendars, but at the same time they know about the stars and phases of the moon.

The wild tribes of the Amazon, namely, they are talking about, are gradually disappearing under the pressure of civilization, but by some miracle they managed to preserve an original culture. And the most surprising is that many small Indian groups have absolutely unique traditions, unlike those of their closest neighbors.

Tribes of the Amazon: small nations with a rich past

To date, the presence of several dozen small wild tribes has been officially recorded in the Amazon delta, which live in isolation from each other in the most remote corners of the jungle.

Scientists began studying the life of the Amazon tribes not so long ago, but it is already clear that the number of such groups is rapidly declining. For example, the Cintha Larga tribe 100 years ago numbered more than 5,000 members, but today their number barely reaches 1,500.

Another group of Amazon Indians is known throughout the world as bora-bora. The history of this tribe is also rooted in the depths of centuries. Despite constant interaction with the civilized world in the face of tourists and scientists, its members continue to observe their traditions and customs in exactness.

It should be noted that almost all the tribes on the Amazon River , including bora-bora, gladly host "white" guests. However, few of the aborigines are enticed by life in the cities, preferring dense thickets of jungle and endless freedom from the prejudices that are characteristic of modern man.

Daily life in the tribe, Aboriginal classes

The wild tribes of the Amazon and Africa are very similar in lifestyle because their daily activities are based on satisfying the basic human needs: nutrition and procreation. The main occupation of women in them is collecting, making garments, household utensils and caring for the younger generation. Men are mainly engaged in hunting, fishing, making simple tools and weapons.

The wild tribes of the Amazon, despite their isolation from each other, have much in common. For example, many people use onions and bows with poisoned arrows. In this case, one tribe uses only one type of weapons. In addition, many groups of Aboriginal people who have never met each other produce similar pottery, beads, and clothing. Leisure in the tribes of the Amazon never passes aimlessly. Even ordinary dances carry a special ritual meaning.

Customs, beliefs and traditions of the wild tribes of the Amazon

Since the scientists established contact with some tribes on the banks of the Amazon, attempts were made to understand the essence of their faith and to find something in common between the beliefs of tribes. Then it was found out that in monotheism the wild tribes of the Amazon begin to believe with great difficulty, and they often perceive information about Jesus, for example, as a beautiful fairy tale. They are more understanding of the world of spirits, good or evil - it does not matter. Literally every creature and plant in them is identified with some deity that influences their existence.

Each tribe has its own unique customs: one with the onset of a new period in their life (puberty, the creation of a family, the birth of a child, etc.) change their names, others do not even undertake daily work without the "blessing" of the tribal shaman, and The third at all eat their own kind. Of course, such a phenomenon as cannibalism, today is very rare, since many wild tribes of the Amazon refused it. To date, there is only one tribe of cannibals, which still raids the small villages of Aboriginal people - Korubo.

Amazonian woman: what is beauty?

Beauty in the notion of the Amazonian Indians is not at all what most civilized people imagine. Virtually every tribe has its own distinctive features, which are especially visible in women. Painting across the body with colored clay is widespread. On the basis of which of them are located in close proximity to the place of residence of the tribe, the coloring of the villagers also depends. If some aborigines paint their bodies with white stripes and curls, others prefer to decorate their bodies with drawings of black, red or yellow.

Sometimes the "beauty" of aborigines can cause a shock, because in the representation of a particular tribe it consists of an unreasonably long neck or inserted into the incision of the lower lip of a clay dish. Slightly more acceptable in a civilized society are relief tattoos, piercings, full or partial shaving of the hair on the head, plastering the braided hair with clay.

Communion of tribes with the outside world

Despite the recent isolation and lack of contact with the outside world, Aboriginal tribes of the Amazon in most cases willingly go to contact with tourists. Sometimes it becomes for them the only way to survive, because the photos, presence in the rite or consultation with the shaman are well paid.