Indígenas Aislados: Understanding Uncontacted Indigenous Peoples and Their Survival

This exhibition explores the existence and challenges of uncontacted indigenous peoples, particularly those in the Amazonia and Western Papua. It highlights their history of fleeing violence and epidemics, and the ongoing threat of land invasion by external forces.

The exhibition "Indígenas aislados" addresses the pressing question of whether uncontacted indigenous peoples still exist today, with Survival estimating over 100 such groups globally. Primarily located in the Brazilian Amazon and Western Papua, these communities often have a complex history of past contact and intermittent current interactions. The exhibition delves into their precarious existence, detailing how many are forced to flee due to invasions of their land by settlers, loggers, and oil companies. It underscores the historical trauma of massacres and epidemics, which drives their desire to avoid contact with the outside world. Challenging the notion that isolated indigenous peoples are mere relics of the past destined to disappear, the exhibition posits that their future depends on the protection of their lands. When their territories are safeguarded, these communities can lead healthier, more prosperous lives, contrary to the idea of inevitable decline. The exhibition serves as a critical look at the human rights and survival issues faced by some of the world's most vulnerable populations.