Stunning photos of the world's indigenous people
Winning photography
Every year, Survival International – the global movement for tribal peoples' rights – ask their supporters to submit pictures of indigenous people they've met on the road for the annual "We, The People" calendar. These images give an insight into the diverse ways of life tribal people live, so here are the winning images featured in this year's calendar. Pictured here is the calendar cover image by Timo Heiny, depicting a Samburu man in Kenya overlooking the plains.
Kinnaura, India
Living in the mountainous area of northern India, the Kinners depend on woolgathering and sheep herding. The women of the Kinner tribe are particularly skilled at weaving carpets as well as shawls.
Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, Brazil
Scattered across six villages in the Brazilian state Rondônia, the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau tribe experienced a rapid loss of population during the 1980s and early 1990s before the Brazilian government committed to protecting the tribe. Now there are around a thousand tribal people, who are known for having distinctive tattoos around their mouths.
Kayapo, Brazil
The Kayapo tribe lives in the eastern part of the Amazon rainforest alongside the Xingu River. The 8,600-strong population call themselves Mebengokre, which translates as "people of the wellspring". They are skilled botanists and farmers, and use the non-destructive method of shifting cultivation to allow the land replenish itself.
Hamar, Ethiopia
Inhabiting southwestern Ethopia, the Hamar people number 46,500 and are cattle herders so cows have a high value in the Hamar culture. They're known for the unique custom of bull jumping, which signifies a boy's initiation into adulthood.
Araweté, Brazil
Native to Pará state in Brazil, the Araweté people live in one large village, which is now threatened by logging companies that are illegally exploiting the mahogany reserves in the area.
Bayaka, Central African Republic
The Bayaka tribe live in the southwest of the Central African Republic and are related to the Baka people of Cameroon and northern Congo. They are known for their complex polyphonic music, which has been studied by many ethnomusicologists.
Kalapalo, Brazil
The Kalapalo are one of the 17 indigenous Brazilian tribes who inhabit the Xingu National Park. The Kalapalo have a strict code of ethics that distinguishes them from other tribes living in the area and they are skilled fishermen.
Segundo Chuquipiondo Chota
Ashaninka, Peru
Living largely in scattered communities in the rainforests of Peru, there are around 70,000 Ashaninka people today. Their traditional dress, called kushma, is a full-length robe that can take up to three months to make. According to the Survival International website, colonists, rubber tappers, loggers, oil companies and Maoist guerrillas have invaded their lands for over a hundred years.
Kham, Tibet
Inhabiting a historical region of Tibet, the Kham people have been known as warriors renowned for their horsemanship. Living in an area often called the "Ethnic Corridor of Southwest China", the Kham are combined with over 14 other culturally and linguistically diverse ethnic groups and Tibetan people under the term of Tibetan Nationality for simplicity by the Chinese government.
Quechua, Peru
Inhabiting several South American countries like Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the Quechua people are estimated to have a total population of up to 11 million people. In many Quechua ethnic groups handicrafts are an important part of the culture, including different traditions of weaving.
Inuit, Greenland
Similar to other indigenous peoples inhabiting the regions beyond the Arctic Circle in Greenland, Canada and Alaska, Inuit people and their culture are known around the world, from husky dogs to snow shelters called igloos.
Samburu, Kenya, 2013 © Timo Heiny
We, The People
Survival International are on a mission to defend tribal peoples' rights, as well as give them a platform to voice opinion. All proceeds from the calendar will go to support the charitable work done by Survival. Survival International’s ‘We, the People’ 2018 calendar is available here for £13.99.