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The Unconquered: Brazil’s People of the Arrow | Nat Geo Live


we’re going to go on a journey deep into

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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