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| Nukak preparing darts for blowpipe
© Gustavo Pollitis/Survival |
The reclusive Nukak
tribe, who hit headlines worldwide this month after fleeing their
forest home, are caught up in a violent civil war between guerrillas
and the Colombian army. The Nukak are one of the Amazon's few nomadic
tribes. Since they first came into close contact with non-Indians in
1988, over half their number have died, mainly from flu and malaria
transmitted by outsiders.
We are few now; hardly any Nukak remain. The outsiders are many, and
have big houses. They don't care that the Nukak are being wiped out,'
says Nukak man Chorebe.
Of the remaining 400 Nukak, half are now displaced with no means of
returning to their forest homes as the fighting continues to rage.
Those who remain in the forest run a huge risk of being killed in the
escalating crossfire.
The army is spraying coca plantations, grown by colonists on the
Nukak's land, with herbicide from the air. In addition, Colombia's main
left-wing guerilla army, the FARC, and the right-wing paramilitary
army, the AUC, both have large numbers of forces in Nukak territory.
Both groups seek to control the lucrative coca crop.
The Nukak, part of a group of nomads known as the Makú, live in small
family groups deep in the rainforests of Colombia and Brazil. They move
from camp to camp every few days depending on the available hunting and
gathering of fruits and vegetables. Fish are also an important food.
Survival and Colombia's national Indian organisation ONIC are urging
all sides to call a ceasefire and withdraw from Nukak territory, and to
send urgently needed medical teams in to treat the Indians.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, If the authorities do
not act swiftly to protect the Nukak and their land, Colombia's last
nomads face extinction.'
To write a letter in support of the Nukak click here
To read ONIC's statement click here
Photos and footage available. For more information call Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
