Introduction: The Largest Uncontacted Tribe
Mashco Piro – Living deep in the rainforests of southeast Peru, are believed to be the largest uncontacted tribe on Earth, numbering more than 750 people. Despite their secluded existence, their territory and way of life are under constant threat.
KEY POINTS-
- Location and Size: The Mashco Piro, numbering more than 750, are the largest uncontacted tribe on Earth, residing in the rainforests of southeast Peru.
- Historical Trauma: During the 1880s “Rubber Boom,” rubber barons enslaved and massacred Indigenous people, including the Mashco Piro, forcing them to retreat deep into the forest to remain uncontacted.
- Modern Threats: Today, their territory is being invaded again, with logging concessions sold off, endangering their isolated way of life.
- Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve: Established in 2002 by the government, influenced by FENAMAD, it protects a portion of the Mashco Piro’s land but leaves significant areas unprotected.
- Logging Concessions: Canales Tahuamanu SAC operates a major concession in their territory, certified by the FSC despite regulations against logging on Indigenous lands.
- Encounters with the Yine: They have increasingly appeared near Yine communities, taking food and supplies. Although they share a common ancestry, contact is risky due to disease and occasional violence.
- Yine’s Support: Many Yine villagers defend the Mashco Piro by planting extra gardens to provide food for them.
- Logging Roads: Canales Tahuamanu has built 200 kilometers of logging roads, leading to further colonization and settlement in the Amazon.
- Legal Battles: Canales Tahuamanu has used the courts to defend its activities, even suing FENAMAD and preventing the Yine from entering shared rainforest areas.
- Campaign for Protection: Indigenous organizations have pushed for extending thr reserve, which was approved by government departments but stalled at the Presidential decree stage.
- Ongoing Struggle: Despite their resilience, the Mashco Piro continue to face significant threats from logging companies, requiring urgent action to protect their lands.
Historical Trauma and Isolation
The Mashco Piro have survived a traumatic history of massacres and enslavement. In the 1880s, during the infamous “Rubber Boom,” rubber barons invaded their territory. Thousands of Indigenous people were enslaved, murdered, flogged, and robbed of their land. The Mashco Piro retreated deep into the forest, seeking refuge along remote rivers, and remained uncontacted.
Modern Threats to Territory
Today, the Mashco Piro face new threats as their lands are invaded again. In 2002, the Peruvian government, influenced by lobbying from the local Indigenous organization FENAMAD, created the Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve to protect the Mashco Piro’s forest. However, this reserve covers only a third of the proposed area, leaving significant portions of their territory unprotected. Logging concessions have been sold off, allowing companies to fell valuable hardwoods like mahogany.
Logging Concessions and Their Impact
One major concession is operated by Canales Tahuamanu SAC, whose operations are certified as sustainable and ethical by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), despite regulations against logging on Indigenous territory. The loss of land is forcing the Mashco Piro out of the forest, leading them to appear more frequently near settled communities.
Encounters with the Yine
The Mashco Piro have been appearing on riverbanks opposite communities of the Yine, a related but contacted people. They sometimes take food or request supplies from the Yine. Despite a shared ancestry, contact between the two groups is dangerous due to the risk of disease and occasional violent encounters.
Yine’s Support for Mashco Piro
Many Yine villagers defend the Mashco Piro. They plant extra gardens, or “chacras,” at the edge of their villages to provide food for the uncontacted tribe. This support helps the Mashco Piro sustain themselves without venturing into dangerous areas.
Logging Roads and Increased Access
Canales Tahuamanu has constructed around 200 kilometers of logging roads, which historically lead to increased colonization and settlement in the Amazon. Loggers do not report sightings of the Mashco Piro for fear of halting their operations. The Mashco Piro have expressed distrust towards the loggers, identifying them by their orange jumpsuits.
Legal Battles and Indigenous Rights
Canales Tahuamanu has aggressively defended its logging activities through the courts. They have sued to prevent the Yine from entering shared rainforest areas and forced FENAMAD to retract criticisms made during the Covid pandemic. The UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous rights has expressed concern over these aggressive actions.
Campaign for Extended Protection
Indigenous organizations in Peru have long campaigned for the expansion of the Mashco Piro’s reserve. By 2016, all relevant government departments had approved the extension, and it only awaited a Presidential decree. However, the decree has not been signed, and logging continues with FSC approval.
Conclusion: Ongoing Struggle for Survival
The Mashco Piro’s struggle to protect their territory is ongoing. Despite their resilience and the support of Indigenous organizations, the threat from logging companies remains significant. Ensuring the Mashco Piro’s survival requires urgent action to extend their protected lands and halt the destructive logging activities.
Also read Updated News – https://globalbuzznetwork.com/mashco-piro-tribe-in-the-peruvian-amazon/
