Magazine

Isolated Nomads Are Under Siege in the Amazon Jungle

Protected forests in Brazil and Peru hold some of the world’s last remote indigenous groups, increasingly threatened by resource-hungry outsiders.

Five Awá families from Posto Awá, an outpost created by the Brazilian government’s indigenous affairs agency, set out on an overnight excursion into the forest. Awá like them who live in settled communities and miss the forest—especially older members who grew up there—make these forays to reconnect with their traditional ways. It wasn’t until 1987 that Brazil began its current no-contact policy for isolated indigenous groups.

Stories byScott Wallace,Chris Fagan, andCharlie Hamilton James

• 40 min read

BRAZIL by Scott Wallace

The tread marks in the blood-red earth are deep—and fresh. Tainaky Tenetehar climbs off his dirt bike for a closer look.

“From this morning,” he says, with the conviction of a veteran tracker attuned to any sign of human movement in these lawless borderlands.

Premium Paywall - Domestic

Go Further

Animals

A year into the pandemic, Nat Geo photographers turn their lenses on pets
- Animals
A year into the pandemic, Nat Geo photographers turn their lenses on pets
The world’s oldest known wild bird just turned 70—why she’s so special
- Animals
The world’s oldest known wild bird just turned 70—why she’s so special
What the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemics
- Animals
- Wildlife Watch
What the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemics
Yellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rare
- Animals
Yellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rare
A lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet trade
- Animals
- Wildlife Watch
A lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet trade
Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island
- Animals
Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island
Selfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseases
- Animals
Selfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseases
Monkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversy
- Animals
- Wildlife Watch
Monkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversy
A black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered species
- Animals
A black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered species
Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?
- Animals
Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?
More than 130 years after its discovery, this moth was finally photographed alive
- Animals
- Photo Ark
More than 130 years after its discovery, this moth was finally photographed alive
The world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save it
- Animals
- Last of the Last
The world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save it

Environment

Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them?
- Environment
- News
Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them?
Solar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disaster
- Environment
Solar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disaster
The origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves
- Environment
The origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves
The unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolation
- Environment
The unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolation
Same force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat waves
- Environment
Same force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat waves
The Keystone XL pipeline is dead. Now what?
- Environment
The Keystone XL pipeline is dead. Now what?
This in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humans
- Environment
This in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humans
These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too
- Environment
These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too
Oil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at risk
- Environment
Oil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at risk
The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.
- Environment
The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.
This single number could reshape our climate future
- Environment
This single number could reshape our climate future
The U.S. commits to tripling its protected lands. Here’s how it could be done.
- Environment
The U.S. commits to tripling its protected lands. Here’s how it could be done.

History & Culture

The forgotten first emancipation proclamation
- History & Culture
The forgotten first emancipation proclamation
Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization'
- History Magazine
Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization'
The untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battle
- History & Culture
The untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battle
Oldest dog remains in Americas discovered in Alaska
- History & Culture
Oldest dog remains in Americas discovered in Alaska
Text messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victims
- History & Culture
- Coronavirus Coverage
Text messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victims
How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'
- History Magazine
How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'
Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.
- Magazine
Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.
3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments
- History & Culture
3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments
How ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology, Video Story
- History & Culture
- Nat Geo Explores
How ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology
This ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and Portugal
- History Magazine
This ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and Portugal
Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?
- History & Culture
- Race in America
Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?
‘I don’t even know if my home still exists.’
- History & Culture
‘I don’t even know if my home still exists.’

Science

FDA authorizes Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use
- Science
- Coronavirus Coverage
FDA authorizes Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use
The priceless primate fossils found in a garbage dump
- Science
The priceless primate fossils found in a garbage dump
The U.S. may soon have a third vaccine. Here's how it works
- Science
- Coronavirus Coverage
The U.S. may soon have a third vaccine. Here's how it works
Uncovering life’s operating code
- Partner Content
Uncovering life’s operating code
New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19
- Science
- Coronavirus Coverage
New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19
Six products that helped beat Day Zero
- Partner Content
Six products that helped beat Day Zero
Watch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on Mars
- Science
Watch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on Mars
The eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 test
- Science
- Coronavirus Coverage
The eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 test
Why kids need their own COVID-19 vaccine trials
- Science
- Coronavirus Coverage
Why kids need their own COVID-19 vaccine trials
From outbreak to immunity, Video Story
- Partner Content
From outbreak to immunity
Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars
- Science
- Mars
Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars
Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing
- Science
- Mars
Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing

Travel

Playing it cool: these artists make music with ice
- Travel
Playing it cool: these artists make music with ice
These 9 memorials trace the global impact of slavery
- Travel
These 9 memorials trace the global impact of slavery
America’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and rafting
- Travel
America’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and rafting
From ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in Mexico
- Travel
From ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in Mexico
‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice
- Travel
‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice
The legendary community that fought for its freedom in Jamaica
- Travel
The legendary community that fought for its freedom in Jamaica
Why this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artists
- Travel
Why this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artists
Families are leading a new wave for Black travelers
- Travel
- Race in America
Families are leading a new wave for Black travelers
Winter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s how
- Travel
Winter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s how
As Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeys
- Travel
- Race in America
As Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeys
Want dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a drone
- Travel
Want dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a drone
These World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregation
- Travel
- Race in America
These World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregation

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Magazine

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

Read

Magazine

How viruses shape our world

Read

Animals

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

Read

Magazine

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

Read

Magazine

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Explore

Magazine

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

Read

Magazine

How viruses shape our world

Read

Animals

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

Read

Magazine

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

Read

Magazine

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Explore

Magazine

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

Read

Magazine

How viruses shape our world

Read

Animals

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

Read

Magazine

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

Read

Magazine

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Explore

Isolated Nomads Are Under Siege in the Amazon Jungle

Premium Paywall - Domestic

Read This Next

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

The best of National Geographic delivered to your inbox

Legal

Our Sites

Join Us

Isolated Nomads Are Under Siege in the Amazon Jungle

Premium Paywall - Domestic

Read This Next

The priceless primate fossils found in a garbage dump

Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them?

The world’s oldest known wild bird just turned 70—why she’s so special

Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization'

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

The best of National Geographic delivered to your inbox

Legal

Our Sites

Join Us

Follow us