Guardians of the Amazon: how indigenous tribes in Brazil today

Brazilian photographer Ricardo Stuckert for several years is a project dedicated to the indigenous peoples of Brazil, the inhabitants of the Amazon rainforest. Yes, Indians live in their native habitat today, trying to keep a habitual way of life and traditions... but many would call it struggle for existence.

Swim in ecological reserve Chapada Imperial

Of course, it is not easy. And the difficulty is not that they live far from the creature comforts that food is produced, as in the old days, hunting, gathering and agriculture. The problem is that they were running low and getting smaller, that their habitat — the Amazon rainforest — is fast disappearing, is being destroyed. But land is the basis of their survival. To be alone with nature is incredibly important for the indigenous people of Brazil.

Girl of striking beauty

50-year-old photographer Ricardo Stuckert made spectacular shots in different regions of his native country, where live the Brazilian Indians, including in the States of acre, Amazonas, Bahia and Alagoas.

Here the indigenous people are developing projects of sustainable management, restoring forest on devastated areas and even struggle with those who cut down the forest for financial gain.

The Indians of the ethnic group Kalapalo in traditional attire

In 2020 in the Amazon happened one of the most destructive forest fires — and now, the very existence of many indigenous peoples is under threat as their land is the basis of their survival.

Ricardo hopes his work will draw attention to the difficulties the indigenous people of Brazil face not their fault.

A girl from the village Apiwtxa in the state of acre

Ricardo Stuckert first met with representatives of indigenous peoples in 1997 during a shooting in the village of the Yanomami on the border between Brazil and Venezuela.

The aim of the project Ricardo Stuckert is to emphasize the importance of protecting the indigenous peoples of Brazil, and also show that between nature and man can exist in harmony.

These pictures Ricardo was doing with the camera Canon EOS-1D X Mark ll, a drone and a GoPro.

In the clear night sky you can see thousands of stars

In Brazil, home to more than 210 million people, almost one million of whom belong to indigenous peoples.

The representative of the indigenous people Kalapalo, whose body is covered with traditional symbols of his tribe

Ricardo Stuckert surrounded by children