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| Nukak preparing darts for blowpipe
© Gustavo Pollitis/Survival |
The nomadic Nukak
tribe, who were recently moved by Colombian authorities to a new camp
far from their traditional lands, have asked to return to their own
homes.
The plea comes after the death of a nine year old Nukak boy and a
severe flu epidemic which struck down almost a quarter of the tribe.
In the new camp the Nukak are forced to live together in one place
which, as experts had warned, has led to outbreaks of disease;
traditionally they live in small, nomadic groups. Since first contact
in 1988, flu and malaria have killed more than half of the tribe.
I want to go back home. There was more meat there, there was more fish,' said Rosa, a Nukak woman.
The new camp is just 2% of the size of the Indians' own territory and their
wild food is in short supply. They also live in fear of armed conflict
between the Colombian army, paramilitaries and guerrillas.
The Nukak's demand comes just days after the visit of an international
human rights mission which concluded that they are in danger of
extinction.'
Survival International's Director, Stephen Corry, said today, It is
vital that the government ensures the Nukak are able to return safely
to their own territory, as that is clearly their wish. Without close
medical attention many more Nukak will die, and they risk passing on
diseases to their relatives still in the forest. So far Western society
has given the Nukak little except misery and death. I hope 2006 can
mark a new chapter in their so-far-tragic story.'
Photos available. Survival campaigner David Hill has just returned from
the Nukak. For more information contact Miriam Ross, +44 (0)20 7687
8734 or mr@survival-international.org
To read a report in Spanish of the mission's findings go to: http://www.onic.org.co/nuevo/actualidad.shtml?x=853
