
we’re going to go on a journey deep into the jungle to track an uncontacted tribe
the jungle to track an uncontacted tribe
the jungle to track an uncontacted tribe known as the flesh a dose or the people
known as the flesh a dose or the people
known as the flesh a dose or the people of the arrow the only contact that’s
of the arrow the only contact that’s
of the arrow the only contact that’s ever been sustained between the outside
ever been sustained between the outside
ever been sustained between the outside world and this group has been one of
world and this group has been one of
world and this group has been one of flying bullets in one direction and
flying bullets in one direction and
flying bullets in one direction and flying arrows in the other
tonight I’m going to take you far from
tonight I’m going to take you far from this world of ours media-saturated world
this world of ours media-saturated world
this world of ours media-saturated world with cell phones and shopping malls and
with cell phones and shopping malls and
with cell phones and shopping malls and prepackaged food we’re going to go on a
prepackaged food we’re going to go on a
prepackaged food we’re going to go on a journey deep into the jungle and this is
journey deep into the jungle and this is
journey deep into the jungle and this is this place where I’m going to take you
this place where I’m going to take you
this place where I’m going to take you tonight is one of the most remote places
tonight is one of the most remote places
tonight is one of the most remote places on earth the man then I went to profile
on earth the man then I went to profile
on earth the man then I went to profile this is Sydney post swellow an
this is Sydney post swellow an
this is Sydney post swellow an extraordinary individual and he was
extraordinary individual and he was
extraordinary individual and he was about to leave on a open-ended
about to leave on a open-ended
about to leave on a open-ended expedition into the deep amazon to track
expedition into the deep amazon to track
expedition into the deep amazon to track and uncontacted tribe known as the flesh
and uncontacted tribe known as the flesh
and uncontacted tribe known as the flesh a dose or the people of the arrow and
a dose or the people of the arrow and
a dose or the people of the arrow and the people of the arrow this is a group
the people of the arrow this is a group
the people of the arrow this is a group that is so far removed from the outside
that is so far removed from the outside
that is so far removed from the outside world that they have scant knowledge of
world that they have scant knowledge of
world that they have scant knowledge of it and our knowledge of them is equally
it and our knowledge of them is equally
it and our knowledge of them is equally scant nobody knows what language they
scant nobody knows what language they
scant nobody knows what language they speak because the only contact that’s
speak because the only contact that’s
speak because the only contact that’s ever been sustained between the outside
ever been sustained between the outside
ever been sustained between the outside world and this group has been one of
world and this group has been one of
world and this group has been one of flying bullets in one direction in
flying bullets in one direction in
flying bullets in one direction in flying arrows in the other so nobody
flying arrows in the other so nobody
flying arrows in the other so nobody knows what language they speak nobody
knows what language they speak nobody
knows what language they speak nobody knows what ethnicity they belong to and
knows what ethnicity they belong to and
knows what ethnicity they belong to and nobody knows what they call themselves
nobody knows what they call themselves
nobody knows what they call themselves but because they have a reputation of
but because they have a reputation of
but because they have a reputation of being fierce and two nations tenacious
being fierce and two nations tenacious
being fierce and two nations tenacious defenders of their land with poison
defenders of their land with poison
defenders of their land with poison tipped arrows they are known as the
tipped arrows they are known as the
tipped arrows they are known as the arrow people to the people who inhabit
arrow people to the people who inhabit
arrow people to the people who inhabit the region who have had maybe brushes
the region who have had maybe brushes
the region who have had maybe brushes with them in the past or just know of
with them in the past or just know of
with them in the past or just know of their reputation as tenacious warriors
their reputation as tenacious warriors
their reputation as tenacious warriors now the arrow people and the 26 other
now the arrow people and the 26 other
now the arrow people and the 26 other uncontacted groups that the brazilian
uncontacted groups that the brazilian
uncontacted groups that the brazilian government is so far confirmed that are
government is so far confirmed that are
government is so far confirmed that are in the amazon in the brazilian amazon
in the amazon in the brazilian amazon
in the amazon in the brazilian amazon they are they represent a miniscule
they are they represent a miniscule
they are they represent a miniscule population when compared to the rest the
population when compared to the rest the
population when compared to the rest the other 7 billion of us on this planet
other 7 billion of us on this planet
other 7 billion of us on this planet but I think they exercise or should
but I think they exercise or should
but I think they exercise or should exercise this proportion that weight
exercise this proportion that weight
exercise this proportion that weight when we think about these people because
when we think about these people because
when we think about these people because of their being on this land and
of their being on this land and
of their being on this land and defending it from intruders and being
defending it from intruders and being
defending it from intruders and being protected in some cases like by the
protected in some cases like by the
protected in some cases like by the Brazilian government these people are
Brazilian government these people are
Brazilian government these people are actually holding down a huge portion of
actually holding down a huge portion of
actually holding down a huge portion of the Amazon rainforest they have learned
the Amazon rainforest they have learned
the Amazon rainforest they have learned how to survive in this forest without
how to survive in this forest without
how to survive in this forest without destroying it something we don’t know
destroying it something we don’t know
destroying it something we don’t know how to do and they’re holding down
how to do and they’re holding down
how to do and they’re holding down forests that’s not only essential for
forests that’s not only essential for
forests that’s not only essential for their survival but for the survival of
their survival but for the survival of
their survival but for the survival of each and every one of us that is why I
each and every one of us that is why I
each and every one of us that is why I think this is such an incredible story
think this is such an incredible story
think this is such an incredible story and Sydney posts well oh this man is the
and Sydney posts well oh this man is the
and Sydney posts well oh this man is the one who engineered in Brazil a change in
one who engineered in Brazil a change in
one who engineered in Brazil a change in the government’s policy he’s a certain
the government’s policy he’s a certain
the government’s policy he’s a certain ISTA which in Brazil is a wilderness
ISTA which in Brazil is a wilderness
ISTA which in Brazil is a wilderness scout and he comes out of a hundred year
scout and he comes out of a hundred year
scout and he comes out of a hundred year long tradition in Brazil of certain East
long tradition in Brazil of certain East
long tradition in Brazil of certain East as these Scouts who are also Indian
as these Scouts who are also Indian
as these Scouts who are also Indian rights activists who would go deep into
rights activists who would go deep into
rights activists who would go deep into the jungle to make contact with the
the jungle to make contact with the
the jungle to make contact with the uncontacted the hostile so-called
uncontacted the hostile so-called
uncontacted the hostile so-called unpacified Indian tribes and their job
unpacified Indian tribes and their job
unpacified Indian tribes and their job was to go out make contact with these
was to go out make contact with these
was to go out make contact with these groups and in order to blunt the blow of
groups and in order to blunt the blow of
groups and in order to blunt the blow of the arrival of the frontier these guys
the arrival of the frontier these guys
the arrival of the frontier these guys would go deep in the jungle in advance
would go deep in the jungle in advance
would go deep in the jungle in advance of the frontier and woo the Indians with
of the frontier and woo the Indians with
of the frontier and woo the Indians with presents gifts and eventually make
presents gifts and eventually make
presents gifts and eventually make contact in order to move them out of the
contact in order to move them out of the
contact in order to move them out of the way of the advancing frontier the trans
way of the advancing frontier the trans
way of the advancing frontier the trans Amazonian highway these kind of
Amazonian highway these kind of
Amazonian highway these kind of intrusions deep in the Amazon so these
intrusions deep in the Amazon so these
intrusions deep in the Amazon so these were the humanitarians who went out to
were the humanitarians who went out to
were the humanitarians who went out to make contact in order to save these
make contact in order to save these
make contact in order to save these tribes but what happened was no matter
tribes but what happened was no matter
tribes but what happened was no matter how humanitarian the the gesture no
how humanitarian the the gesture no
how humanitarian the the gesture no matter how good the motives were of the
matter how good the motives were of the
matter how good the motives were of the people who did this what would
people who did this what would
people who did this what would inevitably almost inevitably happen as a
inevitably almost inevitably happen as a
inevitably almost inevitably happen as a result of contact would be decimation by
result of contact would be decimation by
result of contact would be decimation by disease first of all because these
disease first of all because these
disease first of all because these population
population
population do not have immunity to the germs that
do not have immunity to the germs that
do not have immunity to the germs that we carry they are as vulnerable today to
we carry they are as vulnerable today to
we carry they are as vulnerable today to common illnesses that we carry such as
common illnesses that we carry such as
common illnesses that we carry such as measles or flu or even the common cold
measles or flu or even the common cold
measles or flu or even the common cold as we’re the first natives that Columbus
as we’re the first natives that Columbus
as we’re the first natives that Columbus encountered when he arrived in Espanola
encountered when he arrived in Espanola
encountered when he arrived in Espanola five hundred years before and so in
five hundred years before and so in
five hundred years before and so in mid-career post swellow had a change of
mid-career post swellow had a change of
mid-career post swellow had a change of heart after making seven first contacts
heart after making seven first contacts
heart after making seven first contacts himself he led a movement inside
himself he led a movement inside
himself he led a movement inside Brazil’s Indian Affairs agency to change
Brazil’s Indian Affairs agency to change
Brazil’s Indian Affairs agency to change the policy it would no longer be a
the policy it would no longer be a
the policy it would no longer be a policy of going out finding the Indians
policy of going out finding the Indians
policy of going out finding the Indians and contacting them to save them but it
and contacting them to save them but it
and contacting them to save them but it would rather be a policy of saving them
would rather be a policy of saving them
would rather be a policy of saving them without contacting them that he and his
without contacting them that he and his
without contacting them that he and his other certain Easter’s would go into the
other certain Easter’s would go into the
other certain Easter’s would go into the field identify the areas where these
field identify the areas where these
field identify the areas where these Indians are living and then protect
Indians are living and then protect
Indians are living and then protect those lands and keep invaders out we’re
those lands and keep invaders out we’re
those lands and keep invaders out we’re about to go into the the java re’ the
about to go into the the java re’ the
about to go into the the java re’ the valley de la verde indigenous land in
valley de la verde indigenous land in
valley de la verde indigenous land in brazil this is an area that is roughly
brazil this is an area that is roughly
brazil this is an area that is roughly half the size of the Floridian Peninsula
half the size of the Floridian Peninsula
half the size of the Floridian Peninsula laced with rivers and dense upland
laced with rivers and dense upland
laced with rivers and dense upland forests not a single Road or airstrip
forests not a single Road or airstrip
forests not a single Road or airstrip there are inside the java re’ a number
there are inside the java re’ a number
there are inside the java re’ a number of contacted groups those of the ones in
of contacted groups those of the ones in
of contacted groups those of the ones in black you see on the map but the java
black you see on the map but the java
black you see on the map but the java re’ also hosts the largest concentration
re’ also hosts the largest concentration
re’ also hosts the largest concentration of uncontacted tribes anywhere in the
of uncontacted tribes anywhere in the
of uncontacted tribes anywhere in the Amazon and hence in the world the java
Amazon and hence in the world the java
Amazon and hence in the world the java re’ has at least eight groups in this
re’ has at least eight groups in this
re’ has at least eight groups in this area of uncontacted indigenous peoples
area of uncontacted indigenous peoples
area of uncontacted indigenous peoples and they inhabit this very rugged
and they inhabit this very rugged
and they inhabit this very rugged headwaters region it’s really where four
headwaters region it’s really where four
headwaters region it’s really where four separate river systems come together and
separate river systems come together and
separate river systems come together and we’re on a journey to penetrate this
we’re on a journey to penetrate this
we’re on a journey to penetrate this land now let me just say this that the
land now let me just say this that the
land now let me just say this that the objective is not to contact them as I’ve
objective is not to contact them as I’ve
objective is not to contact them as I’ve said before the objective is to glean as
said before the objective is to glean as
said before the objective is to glean as much information as we can about this
much information as we can about this
much information as we can about this group without contacting them in order
group without contacting them in order
group without contacting them in order to boast
to boast
to boast protection for their land we’re gonna
protection for their land we’re gonna
protection for their land we’re gonna check to see if there are any imminent
check to see if there are any imminent
check to see if there are any imminent threats from intruders and we’re going
threats from intruders and we’re going
threats from intruders and we’re going to map the extent of their wants
to map the extent of their wants
to map the extent of their wants seasonal wanderings in order to better
seasonal wanderings in order to better
seasonal wanderings in order to better protect this land and even and keep even
protect this land and even and keep even
protect this land and even and keep even some of the other contacted groups that
some of the other contacted groups that
some of the other contacted groups that live within the java re’ from coming
live within the java re’ from coming
live within the java re’ from coming into this area swellow wanted to do and
into this area swellow wanted to do and
into this area swellow wanted to do and the first leg of the trip is taking us
the first leg of the trip is taking us
the first leg of the trip is taking us up this river the talk ye which runs
up this river the talk ye which runs
up this river the talk ye which runs south into the very depths of the
south into the very depths of the
south into the very depths of the indigenous reserve the java re’ land and
indigenous reserve the java re’ land and
indigenous reserve the java re’ land and so as we’re traveling up in these boats
so as we’re traveling up in these boats
so as we’re traveling up in these boats we’re also going through a number of
we’re also going through a number of
we’re also going through a number of connor Murray Indian villages along the
connor Murray Indian villages along the
connor Murray Indian villages along the way and as we travel up this river we
way and as we travel up this river we
way and as we travel up this river we left from Taba Tinga and I joined the
left from Taba Tinga and I joined the
left from Taba Tinga and I joined the expedition partway up the river and as
expedition partway up the river and as
expedition partway up the river and as we continued to penetrate and go deeper
we continued to penetrate and go deeper
we continued to penetrate and go deeper into the indigenous reserve we are
into the indigenous reserve we are
into the indigenous reserve we are actually threading a needle on the west
actually threading a needle on the west
actually threading a needle on the west bank of the itaku ie off to the off to
bank of the itaku ie off to the off to
bank of the itaku ie off to the off to the left there actually on our right as
the left there actually on our right as
the left there actually on our right as we’re going upriver where the club
we’re going upriver where the club
we’re going upriver where the club wielding head bashing Kubo indians known
wielding head bashing Kubo indians known
wielding head bashing Kubo indians known as head bashers because they for their
as head bashers because they for their
as head bashers because they for their fearsome attacks often seemingly
fearsome attacks often seemingly
fearsome attacks often seemingly unprovoked with their war clubs with
unprovoked with their war clubs with
unprovoked with their war clubs with shawl skull shattering blows that they
shawl skull shattering blows that they
shawl skull shattering blows that they would deliver with their clubs so the
would deliver with their clubs so the
would deliver with their clubs so the head bashers are on one side of the
head bashers are on one side of the
head bashers are on one side of the river and the arrow people with their
river and the arrow people with their
river and the arrow people with their poison tipped arrows on the other side
poison tipped arrows on the other side
poison tipped arrows on the other side of the river and we are going up this
of the river and we are going up this
of the river and we are going up this river and high walls of what seems like
river and high walls of what seems like
river and high walls of what seems like impenetrable jungle on either side and
impenetrable jungle on either side and
impenetrable jungle on either side and and as we go deeper into this wild place
and as we go deeper into this wild place
and as we go deeper into this wild place we see not only are there so-called wild
we see not only are there so-called wild
we see not only are there so-called wild Indians but the wildlife is abundant and
Indians but the wildlife is abundant and
Indians but the wildlife is abundant and this is an area where man is by no means
this is an area where man is by no means
this is an area where man is by no means the apex predator
the apex predator
the apex predator these are Jaguar fresh Jaguar prints in
these are Jaguar fresh Jaguar prints in
these are Jaguar fresh Jaguar prints in the sand so now having arrived at the
the sand so now having arrived at the
the sand so now having arrived at the very top of the talk ye River the boats
very top of the talk ye River the boats
very top of the talk ye River the boats will go absolutely no further so now the
will go absolutely no further so now the
will go absolutely no further so now the plan calls for leaving the boats behind
plan calls for leaving the boats behind
plan calls for leaving the boats behind they’re going to be taken back
they’re going to be taken back
they’re going to be taken back and now we’re going to begin a very
and now we’re going to begin a very
and now we’re going to begin a very punishing journey through absolutely
punishing journey through absolutely
punishing journey through absolutely virgin dance virtually impenetrable
virgin dance virtually impenetrable
virgin dance virtually impenetrable jungle
jungle
jungle we’re affording many streams sometimes
we’re affording many streams sometimes
we’re affording many streams sometimes there are trees that have actually
there are trees that have actually
there are trees that have actually fallen that help us get across other
fallen that help us get across other
fallen that help us get across other places our scouts are chopping the trees
places our scouts are chopping the trees
places our scouts are chopping the trees down for us to get across as you can
down for us to get across as you can
down for us to get across as you can tell you know it calls for a little bit
tell you know it calls for a little bit
tell you know it calls for a little bit of a sense of balance and the guys would
of a sense of balance and the guys would
of a sense of balance and the guys would just scamper across these things like
just scamper across these things like
just scamper across these things like you know like as though they were just
you know like as though they were just
you know like as though they were just walking on a path and I would be you
walking on a path and I would be you
walking on a path and I would be you know have them summon on the
know have them summon on the
know have them summon on the concentration not to fall from these
concentration not to fall from these
concentration not to fall from these logs because you never knew what might
logs because you never knew what might
logs because you never knew what might be underneath the you know the surface
be underneath the you know the surface
be underneath the you know the surface of the water there and any injury in
of the water there and any injury in
of the water there and any injury in this place would have been like really
this place would have been like really
this place would have been like really bad news no possibility of an evacuation
bad news no possibility of an evacuation
bad news no possibility of an evacuation canopy so thick it would be impossible
canopy so thick it would be impossible
canopy so thick it would be impossible to get a helicopter in there in any way
to get a helicopter in there in any way
to get a helicopter in there in any way the nearest helicopter was over a
the nearest helicopter was over a
the nearest helicopter was over a thousand miles away in Brasilia and so
thousand miles away in Brasilia and so
thousand miles away in Brasilia and so that was just not on the drawing board
that was just not on the drawing board
that was just not on the drawing board so there was nothing like these logs to
so there was nothing like these logs to
so there was nothing like these logs to really you know these log bridges to
really you know these log bridges to
really you know these log bridges to focus your concentration as we’re
focus your concentration as we’re
focus your concentration as we’re traveling through this area the Western
traveling through this area the Western
traveling through this area the Western Amazon is extremely rugged and laced
Amazon is extremely rugged and laced
Amazon is extremely rugged and laced with a rich tapestry of wildlife and
with a rich tapestry of wildlife and
with a rich tapestry of wildlife and biodiversity these are some of the most
biodiversity these are some of the most
biodiversity these are some of the most biodiverse lands in the world where
biodiverse lands in the world where
biodiverse lands in the world where these uncontacted groups are hiding and
these uncontacted groups are hiding and
these uncontacted groups are hiding and we are walking through jungle with just
we are walking through jungle with just
we are walking through jungle with just you know enormous canopy trees just huge
you know enormous canopy trees just huge
you know enormous canopy trees just huge trees rising up and disappearing way up
trees rising up and disappearing way up
trees rising up and disappearing way up there into the canopy and with the kind
there into the canopy and with the kind
there into the canopy and with the kind of diffused light that would come down
of diffused light that would come down
of diffused light that would come down filtering down through the through the
filtering down through the through the
filtering down through the through the top of the canopy greens and yellow hues
top of the canopy greens and yellow hues
top of the canopy greens and yellow hues and in the midday when the when the
and in the midday when the when the
and in the midday when the when the jungle would fall silent when the
jungle would fall silent when the
jungle would fall silent when the insuring of the insects would stop in
insuring of the insects would stop in
insuring of the insects would stop in the middle of the day the quietness of
the middle of the day the quietness of
the middle of the day the quietness of the jungle and this subdued light
the jungle and this subdued light
the jungle and this subdued light filtering down from way up there
filtering down from way up there
filtering down from way up there it had the feeling you felt like you
it had the feeling you felt like you
it had the feeling you felt like you were walking on the bottom of the ocean
were walking on the bottom of the ocean
were walking on the bottom of the ocean it’s really imperative all very
it’s really imperative all very
it’s really imperative all very difficult jungle to access I didn’t
difficult jungle to access I didn’t
difficult jungle to access I didn’t realize it at the time but this is also
realize it at the time but this is also
realize it at the time but this is also like 99 percent humidity and so it feels
like 99 percent humidity and so it feels
like 99 percent humidity and so it feels like we’re kind of in this enormous
like we’re kind of in this enormous
like we’re kind of in this enormous terrarium and it’s so humid that you
terrarium and it’s so humid that you
terrarium and it’s so humid that you couldn’t keep a roll of film in your
couldn’t keep a roll of film in your
couldn’t keep a roll of film in your camera overnight
camera overnight
camera overnight unfortunately I lost a couple of crucial
unfortunately I lost a couple of crucial
unfortunately I lost a couple of crucial roles around this time of the trip
roles around this time of the trip
roles around this time of the trip because the the film would just stick to
because the the film would just stick to
because the the film would just stick to itself in your camera and then if when
itself in your camera and then if when
itself in your camera and then if when you try to rewind it you sorry you
you try to rewind it you sorry you
you try to rewind it you sorry you couldn’t and so that’s just how humid it
couldn’t and so that’s just how humid it
couldn’t and so that’s just how humid it was in there and I wasn’t prepared very
was in there and I wasn’t prepared very
was in there and I wasn’t prepared very well prepared for those kind of
well prepared for those kind of
well prepared for those kind of conditions and some of the strange life
conditions and some of the strange life
conditions and some of the strange life forms that we saw there was actually not
forms that we saw there was actually not
forms that we saw there was actually not a scientist there was no biologist with
a scientist there was no biologist with
a scientist there was no biologist with us so it’s possible that we saw a number
us so it’s possible that we saw a number
us so it’s possible that we saw a number of species flora and fauna ants with
of species flora and fauna ants with
of species flora and fauna ants with ivory bodies and red heads and then
ivory bodies and red heads and then
ivory bodies and red heads and then pincers ivory colored pencils that would
pincers ivory colored pencils that would
pincers ivory colored pencils that would match their four axes and that were
match their four axes and that were
match their four axes and that were vicious actually too in terms of the
vicious actually too in terms of the
vicious actually too in terms of the bites they delivered anyway all sorts of
bites they delivered anyway all sorts of
bites they delivered anyway all sorts of strange things and it’s quite possible
strange things and it’s quite possible
strange things and it’s quite possible we were seeing a number of things that
we were seeing a number of things that
we were seeing a number of things that are still undescribed by science every
are still undescribed by science every
are still undescribed by science every afternoon we’d stop to make camp some of
afternoon we’d stop to make camp some of
afternoon we’d stop to make camp some of the men were assigned to clear the
the men were assigned to clear the
the men were assigned to clear the campsite and install the cooking area
campsite and install the cooking area
campsite and install the cooking area benches around the campfire or maybe a
benches around the campfire or maybe a
benches around the campfire or maybe a stairway down to the river to or a
stairway down to the river to or a
stairway down to the river to or a washing platform out into the water
washing platform out into the water
washing platform out into the water others would be assigned to go off and
others would be assigned to go off and
others would be assigned to go off and hunt and there was a period of like a
hunt and there was a period of like a
hunt and there was a period of like a week when the only thing the hunters
week when the only thing the hunters
week when the only thing the hunters could find were monkeys and so we had
could find were monkeys and so we had
could find were monkeys and so we had the sort of grim situation where that
the sort of grim situation where that
the sort of grim situation where that was all there was to eat for a number of
was all there was to eat for a number of
was all there was to eat for a number of days and these two guys mode row on the
days and these two guys mode row on the
days and these two guys mode row on the left and Paulo Sousa on the right were
left and Paulo Sousa on the right were
left and Paulo Sousa on the right were our cooks and it fell to them at the
our cooks and it fell to them at the
our cooks and it fell to them at the grim task of dismembering whatever game
grim task of dismembering whatever game
grim task of dismembering whatever game the hunters brought back and crudely
the hunters brought back and crudely
the hunters brought back and crudely hacking the part with their machetes and
hacking the part with their machetes and
hacking the part with their machetes and then throwing the stuff into a boiling
then throwing the stuff into a boiling
then throwing the stuff into a boiling cauldron
cauldron
cauldron and that would be our dinner you know
and that would be our dinner you know
and that would be our dinner you know let’s like rubbery chunk of meat in a
let’s like rubbery chunk of meat in a
let’s like rubbery chunk of meat in a you know pretty unappetizing broth and
you know pretty unappetizing broth and
you know pretty unappetizing broth and as we penetrate deeper into this realm
as we penetrate deeper into this realm
as we penetrate deeper into this realm we begin to come upon signs that the aro
we begin to come upon signs that the aro
we begin to come upon signs that the aro people are indeed in happening these
people are indeed in happening these
people are indeed in happening these woods we came to an abandoned fishing
woods we came to an abandoned fishing
woods we came to an abandoned fishing camp where there were fetched crude
camp where there were fetched crude
camp where there were fetched crude thatched huts no larger than what you
thatched huts no larger than what you
thatched huts no larger than what you would expect a hobbit maybe to live in
would expect a hobbit maybe to live in
would expect a hobbit maybe to live in these really low-lying Hudson alongside
these really low-lying Hudson alongside
these really low-lying Hudson alongside one of them was this incredible
one of them was this incredible
one of them was this incredible perfectly round ceramic bowl in another
perfectly round ceramic bowl in another
perfectly round ceramic bowl in another place we came upon this tapir jaw left
place we came upon this tapir jaw left
place we came upon this tapir jaw left in the cleft of a tree a kind of totem
in the cleft of a tree a kind of totem
in the cleft of a tree a kind of totem perhaps we weren’t sure but these are
perhaps we weren’t sure but these are
perhaps we weren’t sure but these are the signs that make up the lifeblood of
the signs that make up the lifeblood of
the signs that make up the lifeblood of post fellows work and he was incredibly
post fellows work and he was incredibly
post fellows work and he was incredibly excited and this is what he had come to
excited and this is what he had come to
excited and this is what he had come to find were the vestiges of the arrow
find were the vestiges of the arrow
find were the vestiges of the arrow people it is absolutely essential for
people it is absolutely essential for
people it is absolutely essential for certain Easter’s and those who protect
certain Easter’s and those who protect
certain Easter’s and those who protect the jungles and the rights of the
the jungles and the rights of the
the jungles and the rights of the uncontacted people to be able to prove
uncontacted people to be able to prove
uncontacted people to be able to prove that they actually hold down and inhabit
that they actually hold down and inhabit
that they actually hold down and inhabit this land they have an inalienable right
this land they have an inalienable right
this land they have an inalienable right to that land that they are living on
to that land that they are living on
to that land that they are living on according to Brazil’s Constitution so
according to Brazil’s Constitution so
according to Brazil’s Constitution so it’s their job Plus well oh and those
it’s their job Plus well oh and those
it’s their job Plus well oh and those who follow in his footsteps to be able
who follow in his footsteps to be able
who follow in his footsteps to be able to document their presence on this land
to document their presence on this land
to document their presence on this land in order to secure legal protection for
in order to secure legal protection for
in order to secure legal protection for it and keep intruders out two of our
it and keep intruders out two of our
it and keep intruders out two of our scouts to our lead Scouts caught a
scouts to our lead Scouts caught a
scouts to our lead Scouts caught a glimpse of two naked indigenous people
glimpse of two naked indigenous people
glimpse of two naked indigenous people dashing across a makeshift bridge it was
dashing across a makeshift bridge it was
dashing across a makeshift bridge it was actually a log that had dropped across
actually a log that had dropped across
actually a log that had dropped across the river from one side and another one
the river from one side and another one
the river from one side and another one of the dropped directly opposite up from
of the dropped directly opposite up from
of the dropped directly opposite up from the other side of the river forming a
the other side of the river forming a
the other side of the river forming a kind of makeshift bridge that was
kind of makeshift bridge that was
kind of makeshift bridge that was clearly a transit point for them because
clearly a transit point for them because
clearly a transit point for them because the branches that poked up off those
the branches that poked up off those
the branches that poked up off those logs were they had fashioned the
logs were they had fashioned the
logs were they had fashioned the handrail with vine going between the
handrail with vine going between the
handrail with vine going between the branches and it was a regular transit
branches and it was a regular transit
branches and it was a regular transit point for them and these two guys dashed
point for them and these two guys dashed
point for them and these two guys dashed across the bridge and
across the bridge and
across the bridge and into the jungle on the far side so now
into the jungle on the far side so now
into the jungle on the far side so now we know that they know that we’re in
we know that they know that we’re in
we know that they know that we’re in there and the tension is mounting
there and the tension is mounting
there and the tension is mounting because as I’ve told you before the
because as I’ve told you before the
because as I’ve told you before the arrow people are known to defend their
arrow people are known to defend their
arrow people are known to defend their lands tenaciously with showers of arrows
lands tenaciously with showers of arrows
lands tenaciously with showers of arrows and so now everyone is on the alert
and so now everyone is on the alert
and so now everyone is on the alert we’re posting centuries throughout the
we’re posting centuries throughout the
we’re posting centuries throughout the night guards doing hour-long shifts
night guards doing hour-long shifts
night guards doing hour-long shifts throughout the night when we camp to
throughout the night when we camp to
throughout the night when we camp to hear if there’s any approach of the
hear if there’s any approach of the
hear if there’s any approach of the arrow people but because despite the
arrow people but because despite the
arrow people but because despite the fact that we are you know heavily armed
fact that we are you know heavily armed
fact that we are you know heavily armed with these shotguns that our men are
with these shotguns that our men are
with these shotguns that our men are using to hunt the food these weapons are
using to hunt the food these weapons are
using to hunt the food these weapons are also from the purpose of driving off a
also from the purpose of driving off a
also from the purpose of driving off a possible attack not by returning fire
possible attack not by returning fire
possible attack not by returning fire but only by firing warning shots in the
but only by firing warning shots in the
but only by firing warning shots in the air
air
air those were the standing orders if we
those were the standing orders if we
those were the standing orders if we come under attack no return fire only
come under attack no return fire only
come under attack no return fire only warning shots to try to drive them off
warning shots to try to drive them off
warning shots to try to drive them off the the motto that guides Brazil’s
the the motto that guides Brazil’s
the the motto that guides Brazil’s Indian protection service Funai since
Indian protection service Funai since
Indian protection service Funai since its predecessor was founded in 1910 a
its predecessor was founded in 1910 a
its predecessor was founded in 1910 a hundred years ago is die if you must but
hundred years ago is die if you must but
hundred years ago is die if you must but never kill but now that the arrow people
never kill but now that the arrow people
never kill but now that the arrow people know we’re there we can be sure that
know we’re there we can be sure that
know we’re there we can be sure that they’re watching us and so we have that
they’re watching us and so we have that
they’re watching us and so we have that sort of lurking feeling of being watched
sort of lurking feeling of being watched
sort of lurking feeling of being watched now like wherever we’re going two days
now like wherever we’re going two days
now like wherever we’re going two days later we came to a great broken tree
later we came to a great broken tree
later we came to a great broken tree like a sapling that was dangling across
like a sapling that was dangling across
like a sapling that was dangling across a path and this was a well-worn path
a path and this was a well-worn path
a path and this was a well-worn path that the arrow people used transit point
that the arrow people used transit point
that the arrow people used transit point he’s incredible to find that in the
he’s incredible to find that in the
he’s incredible to find that in the middle of this jungle we’ve been
middle of this jungle we’ve been
middle of this jungle we’ve been trekking through dense on you know
trekking through dense on you know
trekking through dense on you know impenetrable jungle gradually for three
impenetrable jungle gradually for three
impenetrable jungle gradually for three weeks and suddenly we find a footpath
weeks and suddenly we find a footpath
weeks and suddenly we find a footpath through the jungle and there’s been a
through the jungle and there’s been a
through the jungle and there’s been a and we started following this path for a
and we started following this path for a
and we started following this path for a little while because it was going in the
little while because it was going in the
little while because it was going in the same direction that post fellas compass
same direction that post fellas compass
same direction that post fellas compass said we needed to go and we came across
said we needed to go and we came across
said we needed to go and we came across this broken sapling hanging over the
this broken sapling hanging over the
this broken sapling hanging over the path and post swallow pulled up shore
path and post swallow pulled up shore
path and post swallow pulled up shore they said well this is universal
they said well this is universal
they said well this is universal language in the jungle it means stay out
language in the jungle it means stay out
language in the jungle it means stay out don’t come any further don’t go you
don’t come any further don’t go you
don’t come any further don’t go you don’t come in here and so he recognized
don’t come in here and so he recognized
don’t come in here and so he recognized that as a warning and so he wanted to
that as a warning and so he wanted to
that as a warning and so he wanted to obey their wishes so he directed
obey their wishes so he directed
obey their wishes so he directed everyone the entire column at a right
everyone the entire column at a right
everyone the entire column at a right angle off that path and we slogged back
angle off that path and we slogged back
angle off that path and we slogged back through the jungle and regrouped about a
through the jungle and regrouped about a
through the jungle and regrouped about a half hour later but what happened was
half hour later but what happened was
half hour later but what happened was two of our guy who we waited there and
two of our guy who we waited there and
two of our guy who we waited there and waited and waited and as I explained
waited and waited and as I explained
waited and waited and as I explained before sometimes the rear of the column
before sometimes the rear of the column
before sometimes the rear of the column could be as long as as far as a mile
could be as long as as far as a mile
could be as long as as far as a mile back from the lead the the head of the
back from the lead the the head of the
back from the lead the the head of the column where they’re breaking open the
column where they’re breaking open the
column where they’re breaking open the trail but we waited there for an hour
trail but we waited there for an hour
trail but we waited there for an hour and these two guys didn’t show up and we
and these two guys didn’t show up and we
and these two guys didn’t show up and we waited for a little longer now almost
waited for a little longer now almost
waited for a little longer now almost two hours and they hadn’t come in posts
two hours and they hadn’t come in posts
two hours and they hadn’t come in posts well I was beginning to fume and he
well I was beginning to fume and he
well I was beginning to fume and he dispatches a search party to go look for
dispatches a search party to go look for
dispatches a search party to go look for them and the search party doesn’t come
them and the search party doesn’t come
them and the search party doesn’t come back and then he sends out another
back and then he sends out another
back and then he sends out another search party and they don’t come back
search party and they don’t come back
search party and they don’t come back and so things are looking pretty tense
and so things are looking pretty tense
and so things are looking pretty tense now because we don’t know what’s
now because we don’t know what’s
now because we don’t know what’s happened to our two guys our expedition
happened to our two guys our expedition
happened to our two guys our expedition is now Frant fragmented into like four
is now Frant fragmented into like four
is now Frant fragmented into like four separate groups so the whole idea of
separate groups so the whole idea of
separate groups so the whole idea of numeric superiority that was one of post
numeric superiority that was one of post
numeric superiority that was one of post fellow’s calculations to try to prevent
fellow’s calculations to try to prevent
fellow’s calculations to try to prevent the arrow people or preempt they’re
the arrow people or preempt they’re
the arrow people or preempt they’re thinking about attacking us was to have
thinking about attacking us was to have
thinking about attacking us was to have a large contingent well-armed so that
a large contingent well-armed so that
a large contingent well-armed so that they would think that you know they
they would think that you know they
they would think that you know they faced an overwhelming sort of potential
faced an overwhelming sort of potential
faced an overwhelming sort of potential retaliation if they try to attack us and
retaliation if they try to attack us and
retaliation if they try to attack us and so they wouldn’t not that we would
so they wouldn’t not that we would
so they wouldn’t not that we would actually retaliate that would be the
actually retaliate that would be the
actually retaliate that would be the furthest thing from post fellow’s mind
furthest thing from post fellow’s mind
furthest thing from post fellow’s mind but anyway these two guys were missing
but anyway these two guys were missing
but anyway these two guys were missing it turned out that the scouts that went
it turned out that the scouts that went
it turned out that the scouts that went out after them found noted their
out after them found noted their
out after them found noted their footprints and it went straight through
footprints and it went straight through
footprints and it went straight through that roadblock they didn’t pay any
that roadblock they didn’t pay any
that roadblock they didn’t pay any attention that they went straight past
attention that they went straight past
attention that they went straight past this enormous garden with manioc and
this enormous garden with manioc and
this enormous garden with manioc and sugarcane and papayas growing and then
sugarcane and papayas growing and then
sugarcane and papayas growing and then into a village
into a village
into a village with like 14 large hots about 10 feet
with like 14 large hots about 10 feet
with like 14 large hots about 10 feet high and piles of monkey meat and other
high and piles of monkey meat and other
high and piles of monkey meat and other types of meat tapir wild boars like 5
types of meat tapir wild boars like 5
types of meat tapir wild boars like 5 different species of monkeys and roasted
different species of monkeys and roasted
different species of monkeys and roasted caterpillars and it was clear the people
caterpillars and it was clear the people
caterpillars and it was clear the people were preparing a feast and that they
were preparing a feast and that they
were preparing a feast and that they fled at the last moment they’d left
fled at the last moment they’d left
fled at the last moment they’d left smoldering campfires in addition to all
smoldering campfires in addition to all
smoldering campfires in addition to all their food and they left behind because
their food and they left behind because
their food and they left behind because they couldn’t carry them with them on
they couldn’t carry them with them on
they couldn’t carry them with them on the run because clearly they bolted in a
the run because clearly they bolted in a
the run because clearly they bolted in a matter of moments they tried to hide
matter of moments they tried to hide
matter of moments they tried to hide under some leaves two big bats brimming
under some leaves two big bats brimming
under some leaves two big bats brimming with kirari the poison that they put on
with kirari the poison that they put on
with kirari the poison that they put on their arrows and so the footprints of
their arrows and so the footprints of
their arrows and so the footprints of our comrades led through the village out
our comrades led through the village out
our comrades led through the village out the other side and then just vanished on
the other side and then just vanished on
the other side and then just vanished on a tree on the other side of the village
a tree on the other side of the village
a tree on the other side of the village just vanished
just vanished
just vanished and so the fear was that they had been
and so the fear was that they had been
and so the fear was that they had been pulled off their feet and killed by the
pulled off their feet and killed by the
pulled off their feet and killed by the arrow people or taken prisoner and and
arrow people or taken prisoner and and
arrow people or taken prisoner and and then we had to brace for a full-scale
then we had to brace for a full-scale
then we had to brace for a full-scale attack thinking that maybe they would
attack thinking that maybe they would
attack thinking that maybe they would think that we were going to retaliate
think that we were going to retaliate
think that we were going to retaliate for them killing our guys so they would
for them killing our guys so they would
for them killing our guys so they would attack us first to preempt a retaliatory
attack us first to preempt a retaliatory
attack us first to preempt a retaliatory attack of attack of ours so in this
attack of attack of ours so in this
attack of attack of ours so in this closed-in forest you can’t see more than
closed-in forest you can’t see more than
closed-in forest you can’t see more than twenty or thirty feet in any direction
twenty or thirty feet in any direction
twenty or thirty feet in any direction and it was easy to imagine them just
and it was easy to imagine them just
and it was easy to imagine them just kind of slipping through the trees and
kind of slipping through the trees and
kind of slipping through the trees and pulling up to a good vantage point and
pulling up to a good vantage point and
pulling up to a good vantage point and just like letting letting us have it I
just like letting letting us have it I
just like letting letting us have it I won’t tell you all about what happened
won’t tell you all about what happened
won’t tell you all about what happened these guys except that they eventually
these guys except that they eventually
these guys except that they eventually turned up we continued there is a book
turned up we continued there is a book
turned up we continued there is a book outside for sale
pezuela ordered a forced march for the
pezuela ordered a forced march for the next three days to try to put as much
next three days to try to put as much
next three days to try to put as much distance as possible between them and us
distance as possible between them and us
distance as possible between them and us and at this point everyone is so
and at this point everyone is so
and at this point everyone is so thoroughly exhausted and there was there
thoroughly exhausted and there was there
thoroughly exhausted and there was there was I would say the potential for mutiny
was I would say the potential for mutiny
was I would say the potential for mutiny in our ranks was rising plus well oh
in our ranks was rising plus well oh
in our ranks was rising plus well oh noze he has to stop soon we’re and we’ve
noze he has to stop soon we’re and we’ve
noze he has to stop soon we’re and we’ve endured extreme hunger the men are
endured extreme hunger the men are
endured extreme hunger the men are grumbling and so we get to a point on
grumbling and so we get to a point on
grumbling and so we get to a point on the shoe-tying river where as he
the shoe-tying river where as he
the shoe-tying river where as he envisioned in the original plan we were
envisioned in the original plan we were
envisioned in the original plan we were going to stop and build canoes in the
going to stop and build canoes in the
going to stop and build canoes in the middle of the wilderness we built the
middle of the wilderness we built the
middle of the wilderness we built the main camp those are almost like
main camp those are almost like
main camp those are almost like permanent installations where we’re
permanent installations where we’re
permanent installations where we’re going to be for a couple of weeks while
going to be for a couple of weeks while
going to be for a couple of weeks while the men go about from scratch building
the men go about from scratch building
the men go about from scratch building with only hand tools they start building
with only hand tools they start building
with only hand tools they start building these enormous dugout canoes and this is
these enormous dugout canoes and this is
these enormous dugout canoes and this is an ancient art and this is these these
an ancient art and this is these these
an ancient art and this is these these canoes are going to be our ticket out of
canoes are going to be our ticket out of
canoes are going to be our ticket out of the wilderness it’s too dangerous to go
the wilderness it’s too dangerous to go
the wilderness it’s too dangerous to go back through the same land that we
back through the same land that we
back through the same land that we traversed already and it’d be too much
traversed already and it’d be too much
traversed already and it’d be too much of a provocation to the arrow people to
of a provocation to the arrow people to
of a provocation to the arrow people to try to go back that same way so we’re
try to go back that same way so we’re
try to go back that same way so we’re gonna go out a different way and the
gonna go out a different way and the
gonna go out a different way and the only way we can do it are in these
only way we can do it are in these
only way we can do it are in these vessels now suddenly we have these
vessels now suddenly we have these
vessels now suddenly we have these canoes that’s going to be our way to get
canoes that’s going to be our way to get
canoes that’s going to be our way to get out of this place so in the course of
out of this place so in the course of
out of this place so in the course of the next two weeks
the next two weeks
the next two weeks paddling 1012 hours a day we continue
paddling 1012 hours a day we continue
paddling 1012 hours a day we continue down the jute ie River to a point that’s
down the jute ie River to a point that’s
down the jute ie River to a point that’s deep enough in the river for our
deep enough in the river for our
deep enough in the river for our eventual extraction by boat having
eventual extraction by boat having
eventual extraction by boat having reached the point where one boat could
reached the point where one boat could
reached the point where one boat could get us one of the original expedition
get us one of the original expedition
get us one of the original expedition boats that took us up the otaku ie we
boats that took us up the otaku ie we
boats that took us up the otaku ie we were picked up by this one boat which
were picked up by this one boat which
were picked up by this one boat which brought us all the way back and
brought us all the way back and
brought us all the way back and delivered us to the starting point on
delivered us to the starting point on
delivered us to the starting point on the border of Colombia Brazil and Peru
the border of Colombia Brazil and Peru
the border of Colombia Brazil and Peru where they come together in Tabatinga
where they come together in Tabatinga
where they come together in Tabatinga almost three months later and having
almost three months later and having
almost three months later and having having done this Trek we could ascertain
having done this Trek we could ascertain
having done this Trek we could ascertain that the arrow people were indeed
that the arrow people were indeed
that the arrow people were indeed occupying this land that they appeared
occupying this land that they appeared
occupying this land that they appeared to be safe there were no we didn’t find
to be safe there were no we didn’t find
to be safe there were no we didn’t find any imminent threats to them or signs
any imminent threats to them or signs
any imminent threats to them or signs that there were any imminent dangers we
that there were any imminent dangers we
that there were any imminent dangers we did this was the first time that this
did this was the first time that this
did this was the first time that this area of the Java indigenous reserve had
area of the Java indigenous reserve had
area of the Java indigenous reserve had ever been explored may well be the last
ever been explored may well be the last
ever been explored may well be the last time ever
time ever
time ever then Outsiders set foot in this area a
then Outsiders set foot in this area a
then Outsiders set foot in this area a one-time thing thank you very much
”
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