There are tribes all over the world who have decided to remain isolated from national society or even other indigenous peoples.

That does not mean that they remain ‘undiscovered’ or ‘unchanged’. Most are already known about and however isolated, all constantly adapt to their changing circumstances.

Uncontacted Jururei Indian woman in the Urueu Wau Wau indigenous territory. Rondônia, Brazil. © Rogerio Vargas

Many have occasional, sometimes hostile, contact with neighbouring tribes. They are well aware of other societies around them.

Neighbouring indigenous groups and FUNAI often know the rough whereabouts of such groups.

Since 1987, FUNAI has had a department dedicated to uncontacted Indians, whose policy is to make contact only in cases where their immediate survival is at risk.

Otherwise, no attempt at contact is made. Instead, FUNAI seeks to demarcate and protect their land from invaders with its protection posts.

Uncontacted peoples must have the right to decide whether to live in isolation or not. But in order to exercise this right they need time and space to do so.

Brazilian government agency for tribal peoples, FUNAI, produced this map of areas (colored dark green) that are home to uncontacted tribes. © FUNAI

They will only survive if their land, which they have a right to under international and national law, is protected. They should be allowed to live in peace, free from fear of extermination and disastrous contact.

Contact should only happen when and where isolated peoples decide that they are ready for it.