The Matis or "Jaguar People"

The Matis Indians of the Rio Javari Valley in Brazil are one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in the Amazon. They fist made contact with the outside world in the 1970’s. Despite the influence of the brazilian government, missionaries and tour guides, they have been able to retain their unique culture and way of life. Matis tattoo their faces and put spines in their noses to imitate the appearance of a jaguar, the most feared jungle animal.

(Editing of the clips with the kind authorization of Dan James Pantone)