Indigenous people, or lost tribes, are communities that have their own unique culture and characteristics, which set them apart from the rest of the world that we are so accustomed to. They are some of the most fascinating and interesting people on the planet, photographers decided to take it upon themselves to capture their true essence and beauty. These beautiful photographs of hidden tribes from all around the world display bizarre outfits, unusual customs, and a vastly different way of life that will leave you in awe and amazement.
the long neck Karen tribe of northern Thailand adorn heavy brass coils to elongate their necks
Getty Images/AFP/Francois Xavier Marit
The Karen tribal group are women who are refugees from Burma but can now be found living in the mountains of Northern Thailand. The women can be spotted with brass rings around their necks, which pushes down the collar bone and ribs, giving the appearance of a longer neck. They begin wearing them around the age of 4 and continue to add more rings annually. This practice has continued due to tradition, and not just to resemble beauty, but was also used to ward off tigers.
the women of the colorful Turkana tribe in Kenya wear necklaces to symbolize social status
Getty Images/AFP/Luis Tato
The beautifully adorned people of Turkana can be spotted in the dry, sandy region of Northwestern Kenya, but some of the tribes can also be found living in neighboring countries. These nomadic people are most known for their basket weaving, fishing, and the annual Turkana festival where men and women come dressed in traditional clothing and perform cultural dances. The tribal women wear handmade necklaces to portray their social status and increase her chance of finding a husband.
French polynesia: The Marquesan islanders can be recognized by their intricate geometric tattoos all over their bodies
Getty Images/AFP/Ludovic Marin
The very first Marquesan people were Polynesians who arrived between 100 and 600 A.D. These indigenous people are believed to be the best craftsmen in French Polynesia and are strongly influenced by Tahitian and French culture. The language they speak is a mixture of East-Central Polynesian dialect. The islanders have been known for intricate geometric tattooing that would cover a man and woman’s entire body.
The Fulani tribe holds a courtship contest where men line up and dance with exaggerated facial expressions to attract a bride
Getty Images/AFP/Luis Tato
Throughout West Africa, the Fulani people, also known as Fulbe, are mainly Muslim and can be found scattered in the region. The dispersed Fulani people are nomadic herders and usually separate themselves from the local populations. They are famous for their elegant decoration of practical objects, such as bowls, as well as other geometric designs that express Fulani symbolism. They also hold a contest called Guerewol where men dress in elaborate outfits and face paint where they dance for hours to grab the attention of a future wife.
Kalash women are sent far from the village during menstruation to give them a break from their daily chores
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The Kalash people are made of 4,000 people, which is the smallest of Pakistan’s minority ethnic groups. They can be found in the three Kalash valleys in Pakistan: Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir. They believe highly in nature and their practice closely resembles that of ancient Hinduism. One interesting custom they have is sending women who are menstruating to a building called bashaleni to give the women a break from everyday chores.
Inupiat natives in arctic Alaska live in crazy -30 degree Celsius temperatures
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The Inupiat people have lived in Alaska for about 4,000 years. In order to survive the Artic’s harsh temperatures, the people gained a deep understanding of their surrounded resources and developed a culture of sharing and working with one another. An important aspect of their culture is Bowhead whale hunting. These whales are heavy and can weigh up to 60 tons. This activity brings the community together because it is no easy task. Once the whale is caught, the people share their catch and thank it for its life.
The Dogon tribe are known for their mask dances to honor the passing of an elder to ensure his safe passage to the next world
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This indigenous group that lives in West Africa has very strong religious traditions. After a member passes away, they are buried right away. Afterward, a dance is performed where members can be seen with masks made from wood and the fibers from the hibiscus plant. The mask symbolizes the connection between this life and the afterlife and is used traditionally to ensure the deceased life’s swift journey to the next world.
Women from the Yao ethnic group use fermented rice water to wash their hair and grow long locks
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The Yao ethnic group in the Huangluo Village in south China has a very unique set of characteristics and traditions. One of those traditions is for women to keep their hair very long. When we say long, we mean almost two meters long. This tradition was passed down from generations and continues today. The women wash their hair with a rice water solution made to symbolize prosperity, wealth, and of course to strengthen and lengthen their hair.
Mongolia’s Tsaatan tribe is the last in the world to ride reindeer
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Believe it or not, this is a very small group with only 44 families left of this tribe. Living in the deep Mongolia rainforests, the tribe are reindeer hoarders whose lives depend on one important thing, which is their family’s herd of reindeer. The name “Tsaatan” actually translates to “people with reindeer.” Although an indigenous group, they are modern people who welcome anyone who visits.
The waorani tribe of the Ecuadorian Amazon fight to keep oil companies out of their land
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Ecuador’s Waorani tribe contains around 4,000 people today, and the lands they live on are significantly declining. This is because of oil activity in their territories. Due to their strong connection to nature, they promise to do everything they can to defend their homeland and protect life in the Amazon. They are known to be brave warriors and most of the people live in a hunting and gathering community.
China’s long horn Miao tribe use animal horns as head ornaments to shape their unique identity
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In Southwest China’s Guizhou Province, you can find the Long Horn Miao tribe, which is a branch of the Miao ethnic group. Costumes are a very important aspect for the tribe members for them to express their unique traits, culture, and emotion. During festivals, women and young girls can be seen wearing intricate headpieces made from horns that get woven into their hair. A bun made from wool and linen is then placed on the head and then tied with a white ribbon. This headpiece is what gives the tribe their name, “Long Horn.”
The Mursi tribe in Ethiopia wear lip plates starting at age 15 to symbolize great beauty
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The Mursi tribe can be found in the remote region of Ethiopia, the Omo Valley. This tribe is famous for powerful stick fighting between men, as well as wooden lip plates inserted into the lips of women. Surprisingly enough, these plates are a symbol of beauty and Mursi identity. A girl’s lower lip is cut by the time she is either 15 or 16, and she gets to choose how far she wants her lip to stretch.
huli wigmen wear wigs made from their own hair and apply facial paint made of clay and plants to ward off enemies
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In The Highlands, Papua New Guinea, the Huli tribe is hard to miss. Their painted faces and wigs truly make them stand out. The paint is used to ward off enemies, while the wigs made from their own hair are worn as a custom symbolizing a man’s maturity. Boys will usually live with their mothers until they turn seven, and afterward, they live with their fathers to learn skills such as hunting and building mud houses.
found in Papua, New guinea: Asaro mud men wear demonic clay masks made with pig’s teeth and shells
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The “Mudmen” of the Asaro tribe, also known as the Holosa, are known for their very distinct mud masks adorned with pigs’ teeth, painted white skin, and long bamboo fingers. The legend goes that the men had to flee and hide in a river from their oppressors. They blended into their surroundings by covering themselves in clay. Their oppressors believed them to be bad spirits and ran off. It is unclear when the tribe came about, but they’ve been believed to exist for four generations.
Kayapo tribe: the bigger the size of a clay plate in a woman’s lip increases her worth for marriage
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South of the Amazon River in Brazil is the Kayapo people. They also refer to themselves as “Mebengokre,” which translates to “people of the wellspring.” They have a deep and spiritual connection to nature. They own many acres of grassland and tropical rainforests but struggle to protect them due to deforestation, but their main goal is the preservation of the forest. One of their traditions is inserting clay disks in their lips. As the years go on, larger plates are inserted which stretches the lip. Senior Kayapo men can also be seen with lip disks.
Cormorant fisherman use trained cormorant birds to fish in the Li river of Yang Shuo, china
In the Yang Shuo Town of China, you can find Cormorant fishermen using an ancient traditional fishing practice using birds to help catch their bait. This type of fishing has existed in Japan and China since 960 A.D. The fisherman uses a trap mechanism at the base of the bird’s throat to keep them from swallowing the bigger fish. Once a bird catches a big fish, the fisherman will then bring the bird back to the boat to retrieve their catch
The Maasai tribal men have a jumping ritual to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood
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The Maasai warriors of Kenya are one of the oldest warrior cultures throughout all of history. Besides being recognized as great warriors, they are also known for raising cattle, their main source of sustenance. They also have very long limbs, making them some of the tallest people in Africa. They even have a ceremony called Eunoto where boys transition to men and take part in jumping dances. Whoever jumps the highest is seen as a more eligible bachelor.
Himba tribeswomen of northern Namibia are famous for their red matted braids made from goat hair and mud
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The Ancient Himba tribe is an indigenous people with a population of around 50,000. The people are tall and slender and adorn unique hairstyles and traditional jewelry. They are famous for the red ochre cream that they put throughout their hair and skin. The ochre stone is grounded into small pieces, mixed with butter, and heated with smoke. It helps to protect their skin against the harsh sun and also blocks hair growth. The red put through a woman’s braids is placed only once they are old enough to care for themselves hygienically.
Papua new guinea: Kalam tribesman wear enormous headdresses up to one meter in height to appear taller
High in the Simbai mountains of Papau New Guniea, the Kalam tribesman can be found. The men are expert hunters and the women farm and gather. They have a tradition of wearing headdresses made with bird feathers, and also wear large necklaces made from pearl shells around their necks. The headdresses are also used to appear taller to ward off their enemies, which are up to two meters tall.
Maori people have tattoos known as ‘Ta moko’ which tell stories of their ancestry and social standing
The Maori tribe actually plays a very influential role in New Zealand life, from food to culture to customs. A big part of the Maori culture is their tattoos, symbolizing respect and commitment to their culture, and no tattoo is the same. They are also very famous for their tribal war dance called ‘Haka’ where people can be seen stomping and chanting together using other large physical gestures.
The khampa warriors come from the toughest tribe in all of Tibet and dedicate their lives to the land
The mighty Khampa warriors, also known as ‘Budhha Warriors’, are from Kham province in Eastern Tibet. They are known for their great bravery, independence, and horsemanship. Every summer, there are horse racing festivals that take place along the Tibetan plateau. They use extravagant costumes and hair ornaments to help them win the contest.
the arctic Chukchi people of Russia refer to themselves as the “people standing openly”
The indigenous people of the Chukchi peninsula are made up of roughly 15,000 people and are traditionally reindeer hunters. They call themselves ‘Lygoravetlat,’ which translates to ‘genuine people.’ The extreme climate in which they live makes living difficult, therefore, generosity and hospitality are important attributes of the Chukchi people. The community must provide for someone in need, and they are not allowed to refuse anyone.
the Ladakh people in India are said to be the most joyful and simple in nature and live with nearly no crime
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The Ladakh people lead a very honest and nomadic life. They are known to be very hardworking and most of the people rely on agriculture for their livelihood. The main sources of agriculture consist of barley, wheat, and beans. They are vastly different from the people in the rest of India due to their clothes, faces, and physique. They strongly believe in the power of spirits and gods in the material world and accept Buddhism as their faith.
The loba people belong to the vanishing kingdom of Mustang, one of the last fortresses of Tibetan culture
Bordering China and the Tibetan plateau, and between some of the world’s highest neighboring mountains is the ancient kingdom of Mustang in Northern Nepal. It has held its ancient culture and is one of the last fortresses of traditional Tibetan life. The Loba people that reside there are very religious people who include prayer, festivals, and Tibetian Buddhism in their everyday lives. One of their main beliefs that they still deem true is that the Earth is flat.
The Rabari tribe are known for their extraordinary textiles and girls learn the art of embroidery at a young age
The indigenous Rabari people of western India live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, with some of its people raising cattle, while others live in neighboring villages. What’s unique about these people is that they uphold a matriarchal social system where men deal with the cattle, and women are in charge of most of the affairs. The Rabari women are famous for their beautifully detailed artwork, such as thread and beadwork, and certain designs are distinct to Rabari style.
The Gauchos: the cowboys of Argentina who are expert horseriders
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The Gauchos of Argentina are men who lead simple life. They are skilled horsemen and hunters. Gauchos first came about during the War of Independence, and after the war, migrated to the Pampas, where hunting living off the land became their way of life. With the start of the 19th century, there was a decline in the Gaucho culture. But the culture still lives on through tourism, where people can experience the gaucho culture.
the Ainu people: the indigenous people of Japan that no one has heard of
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The Ainu people are a very peculiar ethnic group because many people have not heard of them. Even Japanese people are not aware of the indigenous group living in their own country. Their origin is unknown, and it was only recently in 2008 that the Japanese government recognized them officially as an indigenous group. Interestingly, they do not have a written language, but it has been passed down from generation. The people also partake in traditional dance where movements replicate movements in nature and connect with divine beings.
Women from the Rajasthani tribe walk 10 miles to fetch water and carry the filled jugs on their heads
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The women from the Rajasthani village in Northern India are a truly inspiring group. They will travel many miles, and sometimes several times a day, to retrieve water for themselves as well as their animals. They will go to a beri, a well that catches rainwater, because it is their responsibility and not the men’s. This is no easy task due to the very few days of rainfall the village receives.
the women from the Akha hill tribe surround their days around harvesting tea leaves
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The Akha people can be found living in the villages in the mountains of Thailand. They live ‘The Akha Way,’ which is respecting every human and the world’s natural resources. They are most known for their agriculture and live off of their land where they grow various grains and vegetables. They are expert farmers and the women pick the tea leaves every 45 days and roughly collect around 1.5 tons.
From birth, Hmong children automatically take their father’s last name and go on being lifetime members of the clan
The Hmong ethnic group living in China and Southeast Asia have kept their cultural identity despite their frequent relocations over the years. Their oral language is quite expressive, using poems, songs, and ancestral stories. The Hmong people are a very humble group, and their culture stresses the importance of relationships between relatives and clan members.
The Samburu tribe are some of the friendliest people in Kenya and are strongly connected to their culture
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The semi-nomadic Samburu people reside in Northern Kenya and continue to hold their traditions and customs. They live in groups of five to ten families, where men are in charge of the cattle and women gather vegetables and tend to children. Their traditional dress consists of a red cloth worn as a skirt along with colorful beaded necklaces and bracelets. Dancing also remains an important part of their culture, however, they don’t use any instruments while they perform.
The Quechua people of South America maintain the Peruvian tradition of weaving
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Found in Peru are the indigenous Quechua people that descended from the Inca Empire. They are recognized for their colorful, high-quality textiles. They take the wool of llamas, alpacas, and sheep that then gets spun and dyed in an array of bright colors. They then weave them into blankets, clothes, and everything in between. The ancient tradition of weaving intricate patterns and designs is very important to them and one that they continue to pass down for generations.
the Dongria Kondh tribe in India center their world around supernatural beings
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The fascinating Dongria Kondh tribe resides in 100 or so villages in the dense forests of the Niyamgiri hills in eastern India. They are about 8,000 people who farm the hill land surround them, harvest the crops, and worship the mountain god, Niyam Raja. They also are unique in the jewelry and hairstyles they wear. They believe in many supernatural beings that they believe control their everyday lives.
in the Cherangany Hills: The Sengwer tribe in Kenya face eviction from their homeland
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The hunter-gatherer Sengwer community living in the forests of Kenya are not the first indigenous people to face violence. They are currently facing eviction from their ancestral lands. The Cherangany Hills is what gives this tribe their culture and identity. Despite this setback, the people plan to fight back against this eviction to save their forest and their way of life by going directly to the African court.
Zulu people, the biggest ethnic group in South Africa, refer to themselves as ‘people of the heavens’
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In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, there are about 10 million Zulu people. The Zulu people’s beliefs center around ancestral spirits. They believe their ancestors live in the spirit world, referred to as ‘unKulunkulu,’ or ‘the greatest of the great.’ They don’t believe that life ends after death, but rather continues into the spiritual realm. Traditional women’s dress symbolizes marital status. Single women are more exposed by wearing grass skirts, while married women cover their bodies more. The men also wear traditional wear in the form of a warrior’s headband.
the rendille tribe in Kenya have a colorful culture where their religion centers around the moon
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The indigenous Rendille people can be found in northern Kenya usually walking with their camels and cows. They used to all live in Ethiopia, but land and resource disputes pushed them to move to southern Kenya. The villages in which they live are made of several houses known as ‘mayattas.’ They worship their god, Wakh’ where they pray towards the heavens and worship the moon, and even have a witch doctor to heal the sick.
The Berber people are known for their artistic skills where they get the chance to add ‘baraka,’ or spiritual power, into their art
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The Berber natives of North Africa had ancestors that lived around 2000 BC. There are actually three main Berber groups and each with its own religion. Due to the numerous Berber tribes, their cultures can be different from each other. The men generally care for the livestock, and the women care for the family. The women are also experienced in making colorful tapestries, and other textiles using natural dye found in nature, like mint and henna.
Chaco, Paraguay: The Ayoreo people struggle with poverty and potential evacuation from their land
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The 5,000 Ayoreo people are facing evacuation from the Chaco forest that they call home. They get continuous pressure from ranchers who want to clear their land, who also happen to control Chaco’s water sources. The Chaco forest already has the highest rate of deforestation in the world, harming the life of this community. The Ayoreo people continue to resist the ranching firms to keep their homeland intact as much as they can.
the native American Coushatta tribe in Louisiana celebrate their culture with the stomp dance
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The Coushatta people, who are made up of roughly 865 people, are a federally recognized Native American tribe. They have worked very hard to maintain their culture and language, and other tribal traditions. One of those traditions is known as the stomp dance. This dance is used to celebrate their culture by dancing counterclockwise in a circle while wearing traditional clothing.
the Kazakh hunters of mongolia have a special bond with animals by using trained eagles to hunt prey
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In Western Mongolia, you can find the Turkish-speaking Kazakh eagle hunters on horseback. These people have been living in the mountainous Mongolia since the start of the 19th century. They use trained eagles to hunt prey, and training eagles is a skill passed down from one generation to the next. The prey they hunt includes rabbits, foxes, and wolves to be used for fur. This fur is especially important because it is a significant part of their traditional attire.
The yagua ethnic group have rituals like ‘Nia’ where they drink a potion made from the ayahuasca plant
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The nearly 6,000 people of the Yagua ethnic group that live in Columbia and eastern Peru have wildly interesting traditions and rituals. The people partake in a ritual known as ‘Nia’ where a concoction made from plants is consumed. This is a very ritual process in which a potion is made from two types of plants that brew for hours These plants have psychoactive chemicals which have an effect on serotonin levels in the body.
The most desirable men in The Bodi Tribe in Ethiopia are the ones with the biggest bellies
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Ethiopia is home to many cultures, one of them being The Bodi tribe. The Bodi tribe can be found by the Lower Omo valley river. One of their rituals includes young men drinking cow’s blood and milk in order to be crowned the fattest man. After six months of performing in this ritual, the men show off their large bellies and the winner is then chosen. The larger their mid section is, the more attractive they’re deemed.
The Batak tribe hold a five day festival of Toba lake with cultural dances like the tor tor dance
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The Batak people are one of the largest indigenous groups in Indonesia. They are known for their annual Lake Toba Festival that takes place each September in which they give thanks for the blessings they received in the past year. There is even a canoe race, along with arts and crafts and food. One of the traditional dances performed at the festival is the Tor Tor dance. The special dance moves involved follow the sound of a two-headed drum called a Margondang.
The Qashqai tribe are the last nomads in Iran who annually migrate when the weather changes
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The Qashqai people are the second-largest Turkish community in Iran. They are strong people who have fought against assimilation despite efforts made to incorporate them into established Iranian society. They do follow Muslim wedding traditions but have their own identity when it comes to dances and traditional clothing. They are continuously setting up camp, due to their constant migrations. They travel together with their animals from the Persian Gulf in the winter to the cooler northern mountains in the summer.
The Karakachani people of Athens, Greece have no permanent habitation due to seasonal migrations
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The Karakachani people are a peculiar tribe because their origin is unknown. There have been many theories, but not one that sticks. Up until the mid-20th century, they lived a nomadic lifestyle before becoming a more assimilated, modern community. But among Greek heritage, their distinct costumes and settlements are what sets them apart from the Greeks. They also take part in seasonal migrations that start in April and end in October.
The Khoisan tribe of South Africa, once one of the largest groups of people on earth, have drastically declined in number
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The Khoisan were actually South Africa’s first people, believe it or not. They were hunter-gatherers that lived off their land as farmers. But unfortunately, they are the country’s most persecuted people. They are also very knowledgeable about wild animals, and their surrounding environment including the use of medicinal plants. Their decline started in the 1600s when settlers claimed their land, some of which even persecuted the members. Years later, the start of the apartheid also decreased their numbers.
The Tuareg people take part in the ‘Cure Salee’ festival to mark the end of the rainy season
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The Tuareg people are one of the ethnic groups living in the Sahara desert in Northern Nigeria. The people have a rich culture and an interesting set of customs. One of them is the Cure Salee festival, which translates to Salt Cure, or Festival of the nomads. During this festival, Tuareg members, as well as Wodaabe people, come together to celebrate the end of the rainy season, giving breeders the opportunity to meet their animal’s needs, as well as to socialize amongst each other.
Borneo Island: the Dayak tribe was once feared for its headhunting culture
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The Dyak people have had an interesting history. They were once a feared tribe because of their ancient tradition of headhunting, although this is not something that’s practiced anymore. The heads would serve as trophies and represented their strength in battle. Once Christianity arrived in Borneo, this ancient practice decreased.
the Sherpa people: The superhumans living in the high altitudes of the Himalayas
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The Sherpa people are one of the Tibetan ethnic groups living in the mountains of Nepal and the Himalayas. Sherpa directly translates to ‘people from the East’ which explains the people’s migration from Nepal to Eastern Tibet. Many Sherpas are regarded as skilled mountaineers who help other mountaineers up the dangerous mountain trek. However, high mountain peaks are considered home to the gods and should be appreciated from afar.
the Saami people of Lapland are Europe’s only indigenous people
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One of the oldest cultures to live in Norway, the Saami indigenous people are remarkable because they are the only indigenous group in Europe. They are unlike other ethnic groups because that arent living in poverty and aren’t exposed to violence. They survive by herding reindeer, their main source of food. One of the main symbols of the Saami culture is their outfits made of embroidered red and blue cloth, and the colors indicate where a person is from and whether they are married.
for the Tlingit Keex Kwaan tribe, power is determined by how much one contributes and gives away
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The Tlingit tribe of North America lives in the islands of southern Alaska. They are made up of 30 clans, each with its own clan leader. They believe in building their homes from the natural resources they have and use their land to hunt and fish. They are known for their artistic skills, specifically in totem pole carving, weaving, and metalworking.
The daasanach people have to adapt to changing environments due to droughts and seasonal floods
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The Dassanech are a semi-nomadic people living in Ethiopia by the Omo River. They must adapt to their ever-changing environments, from floods to droughts. Seasonal floods usually arrive during the rainy season while drought occurs during the scorching dry months of the summer. They are forced to move every so often to search for land that is more suitable for them and their cattle.
The Pokot tribe in western Kenya are one of over 40 Kenyan tribal groups
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The Pokot people that live in Southern Kenya migrated to this area more than 2,000 years ago. They are divided into two groups, which are the pastoral Pokot and the agricultural Pokot, and they speak the language of Pokoot. They hold many ceremonies which mark major transitions in the lives of those in the community.
The Dani tribe of New guinea were first discovered by accident in 1938 by a pilot flying over their fields
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The Dani tribe can be found in the highlands of western New Guinea. Due to the shortage of wild animal meat, they rely on pigs as their major source of animal protein. They are also known as the stone age people. Back when they were first discovered in 1938, they used wooden spears and bows and arrows tools. They believe in local gods and water spirits.
Israeli Bedouins are known for riding camels in the harsh desert heat
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The semi-nomadic Israeli Bedouins living in the Negev desert believe in the Sunni Islam religion. They are the oldest living people in the Arabian desert. They are able to survive harsh climates and only live on a liter of water a day. What sets them apart is their extreme hospitality and resourcefulness.
The Zulu people of southern Africa believe in the highest god, unkulunkulu
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Te Zulu people are an ethnic group living in Southern Africa. They also happen to be the biggest ethnic group living in this region. They are known for their skills in the arts, including weaving, pottery, and beadwork. They believe in ancestral spirits and the God Unkulunkulu, who they regard as the creator of all humanity.
The el-Molo tribe is the smallest ethnic group in Kenya
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The El-Molo is made up of around 560 people, making it the smallest tribe in Kenya. It is believed that these people migrated from Ethiopia to Turkana Basin roughly in the year 1000 BC. They are gathered in two small villages and participate in lakeside fishing. Their main sustenance comes from fish, and even eat animals such as crocodile.
The stieng people of Vietnam and Cambodia grow crops on plantations
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The majority of Stieng people who live in Cambodia live very close to other majority groups. They make up about 6,000 people in Cambodia and 50,000 in Vietnam. Their main dialects are Budip and Bulo. They live in traditional houses made from palm trees and leaves. They rely on hunting and cutting wood for their food sources and for building their home.
the Khasi peoples most important festival is the annual shad suk mynsiem
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The Khasi people that reside in India have a very unique and distinctive culture. The descent is passed down through the mother, and only the youngest daughter is able to inherit ancestral property. The Khasi people are known for giving songs of praise to nature through dance and music. One of the ways they do this is through their annual three-day thanksgiving festival, Shad Suk Mynsiem, meaning ‘dance of joy.’ Men and women dress in traditional attire and dance to give thanks to their harvest.
The Mentawai people of Sumatra, Indonesia believe everything in nature has a spiritual essence
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The Mentawai people are a very colorful bunch. They are the indigenous people of the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia where families live together in wooden houses. They have their very own set of customs, culture, as well as their own language. They believe in animism, where everything found in nature has a spirit, and living in peace with their surrounding is considered to be of utmost importance.
Young boys from the Mursi tribe participate in stilt walking
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The Mursi tribe which can be found in the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia is one with many interesting traditions and rituals. They are a Surmic ethnic group and speak the Mursi language. Mursi tribe members can often be seen with elaborate body paint, as well as particp[rating in activities like stilt walking. It was believed that stilt walking was once used to protect oneself from being attacked by wild animals.