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My Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil. Now Brazil’s New President Threatens To Destroy Their Land And Their Lifestyle
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My Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil. Now Brazil’s New President Threatens To Destroy Their Land And Their Lifestyle

My Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of Indigenous People In Brazil After The New President Threatened To Annihilate Their Way Of LifeI Tried To Capture The Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil On Film After The New President Threatened To Destroy Indigenous Land And Annihilate Their Way Of LifeI Captured The Response Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil On Film After The New President Threatened To Destroy Their Land And Annihilate Their Way Of LifeI Went To Brazil To Cover The World Indigenous Games After The New President Of Brazil Threatened To Destroy Indigenous Land And Annihilate Their Way Of LifeThought-Provoking Photos I Took At The World Indigenous Games Right After The New President Vowed To Destroy Indigenous Land And Annihilate Their LifestyleMy Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil. Now Brazil's New President Threatens To Destroy Their Land And Their LifestyleMy Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil. Now Brazil's New President Threatens To Destroy Their Land And Their LifestyleMy Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil. Now Brazil's New President Threatens To Destroy Their Land And Their LifestyleMy Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil. Now Brazil's New President Threatens To Destroy Their Land And Their LifestyleMy Photos Capture The Resilient Spirit Of The Indigenous People Of Brazil. Now Brazil's New President Threatens To Destroy Their Land And Their Lifestyle
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I am a Dutch photographer and I went to Brazil to cover the World Indigenous Games. Indigenous people from all over the world traveled to Palmas to compete in these Indigenous Olympics. It was an explosion of colors and a once in a lifetime experience.

I often used slow shutter speed to paint the athlete’s ancient rhythm. The resulting soft images connect us to our roots, to the old drawings in caves, dating back to prehistoric times – universal and fundamentally innate to all of us. But, the hazy imagery is also a metaphor for the fact that indigenous people are fading.

The so-called ‘civilization’ is closing in on them everywhere. Their land is being taken, their rights trampled, their way of life is being destroyed and they are being captured and killed. For land, for money, for power, for greed.

They are the only humans left on earth who live like our ancestors thousands of years ago. Living off the land, leaving no footprint, in harmony with their environment and with respect for all living things. And they are being annihilated.

I feel that this is one of the most shameful injustices of our times. Future history books will judge the fact that we stood by and did nothing.

The indigenous people of the world need our help to protect their way of life and to ensure their lawful claims to their land.

But we need them just as much, if not more. Their knowledge of nature, how everything is connected, is something we need now more than ever. Their profound wisdom is a clear beacon in troubled times. They are our last connection to our roots. We have a fundamental obligation to them – and ourselves – to ensure they do not fade away.

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Let’s hope that together, we will learn how to respect nature. To respect that part of us that longs for forests and waterfalls, that playful part that wants to explore and be free to roam the earth in touch with our own ancient rhythm.

Last weekend, Brazil elected a new president, the far-right Jair Bolsonaro. He has vowed to destroy indigenous rights, to take the land that is rightfully theirs.

More info: marinkamasseus.com

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    To me, this photo represents the true ancient rhythm of indigenous people. It reminds me of old drawings in caves dating back to prehistoric times – universal and fundamentally innate to all of us

    They truly are our last connection to our roots, to our ancestors, to that part of us that is nature. That part of us that is neglected and almost forgotten, but that is still there in us all

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    These photos are a tribute to the beauty, grace and strength of people still living a traditional lifestyle in harmony with nature

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    The World Indigenous Games was a mix of cultural performances and competitions between nations playing ancient sports

    From spear throwing to archery to tug of war, it was truly a journey into the past

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    What impressed me the most was the deep sense of community: winning or losing was something they did together

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    Everything was done together as a group. Winning or losing was something they did together, competing with the whole community, from small children to the elderly. That sense of shared bond – the deep realization that we are in this life TOGETHER – has been lost to most of us but is still very much alive among the indigenous people of the world. They are very rich indeed.

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    The vast arena was entirely made up of sand, just as in ancient times. Demarcations were created by using heavy ropes, hauled and reorganized in between games

    Some sports were very local traditions, played only by a specific village or tribe. One of the most spectacular examples was a kind of hockey played with a ball on fire

    This match was played on the 10th day, the final evening.

    My assistant and I were very lucky to be granted access to the living areas of the tribes

    Indigenous is getting ready.

    In the background, there are the temporary living quarters of the different tribes for the remainder of the Olympics

    Indigenous man arriving at the stadium, watched by heavily armed police officers

    Indigenous child playing with the camera of one of the journalists

    A 70 year old indigenous man kept on trying to catch the camera drone as he was fascinated by the unknown mysterious object

    Tribes gave symbolic performances in which this they expressed mourning over the loss of their traditional lifestyle

    I was deeply touched by the kindness and beauty of indigenous people from everywhere around the world. They radiated health and vitality seldom seen in the ‘modern world’. Their happiness and boundless energy is clearly visible

    On the fifth day of the World Indigenous Games, there were rumors of a protest. Nobody knew when or what, but the air was thick because Brazil had just passed the unjust new law PEC 215 which makes the indigenous people of Brazil even more vulnerable that their land will be taken from them

    Brazil elected a far-right president Bolsonaro. Backed by big agrobusiness he has vowed to annihilate indigenous rights. “Not one centimeter of land will be demarcated for Indigenous reserves or quilombolas”, – he said

    In the evening an impromptu protest erupted and emotions ran high. The indigenous people of Brazil showed that they were prepared to fight for their ancestral rights

    They could have sabotaged the entire remainder of the Games, but they decided not to. Instead, they chose to honor the spirit of the Games and to respect all the tribes from all over the world who came to Brazil to participate in the Indigenous Olympics

    They showed that wisdom is more than just words. They live their wisdom and it was one of the most special times of my life to witness and absorb their spirit and their energy for a week

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    Marinka Masseus Photography

    Marinka Masseus Photography

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Marinka Masséus' photography revolves around people and is a constant reflection of her passion and fascination for human nature and the way we live our lives. Especially topics concerning injustice and inequality are a driving force behind her work. Her utmost wish for her photography is the chance to make a difference. By creating awareness and touching people's feelings, since she believes that an image is indeed stronger than a 1000 words.

    Read less »
    Marinka Masseus Photography

    Marinka Masseus Photography

    Author, Community member

    Marinka Masséus' photography revolves around people and is a constant reflection of her passion and fascination for human nature and the way we live our lives. Especially topics concerning injustice and inequality are a driving force behind her work. Her utmost wish for her photography is the chance to make a difference. By creating awareness and touching people's feelings, since she believes that an image is indeed stronger than a 1000 words.

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    diane a
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dreadful - they were almost anhialated by Conquistadors looking for gold, then by western disease which they had no resistance to, then deforestation and ruination of their land for minerals, and now their own government is turning against them??

    Rick Fitz
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quit listening to western news organizations. Bolsonaro is the best thing to happen to Brazil in decades.

    Load More Replies...
    Night Owl
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope they won't disappear or be absorbed like many more ancient tribes through history

    diane a
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe I am wrong - but I dont think Spain and Portugal have ownership rights to Southern and Central America nor the Carribbean. It is so mixed up I cannot work out what the indigenous population of the West Indies even was before the French, Spanish and British got their hands on them - along with a few million African slaves transported there. for centuries.

    Load More Replies...
    Johanna Martin
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They voted for him!!! Give him a chance. Can't get worse than what they have now

    sharron lynn parsons
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    May God help us, I am disgusted, these good people live the life they want and should be, they cause no problems, it's the insanity of others causing trouble. Is it contagious ???

    Apollo
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This 'tropical Trump' will probably do as much damage as the other one. People without empathy shouldn't be allowed to become politicians.

    Gino Arduini
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    apart from the good pics, this text is completey biased: "Last weekend, Brazil elected a new president, the far-right Jair Bolsonaro. He has vowed to destroy indigenous rights, to take the land that is rightfully theirs." this never ever happened! bolsonaro was not my first choice but i voted for him in the 2nd round, just like 57 million+ people did, for a number of very good reasons. the author forgot to say that the rights of indigenous peoples have been trampled for decades, including during the PT (workers' party) offices (14 years), and that there have been several cases of indian chieftains selling land to farmers or pocketing bribe money following their very personal interests. indigenous peoples have been granted land and the use of their native languages and they account for 220+ different ethnic groups living all over brazil, mainly in the N and W parts of the country. no one wants them to disappear. they must be assisted. but lying in not the right way to do so.

    Rick Fitz
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Brazil is dying of socialism. Bolsonaro is going to try to bring liberty to the people by destroying these sclerotic institutions. Private property, strong civil liberties and decentralization of power back to the states will make Brazil a much more prosperous, safe and strong country.

    diane a
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dreadful - they were almost anhialated by Conquistadors looking for gold, then by western disease which they had no resistance to, then deforestation and ruination of their land for minerals, and now their own government is turning against them??

    Rick Fitz
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quit listening to western news organizations. Bolsonaro is the best thing to happen to Brazil in decades.

    Load More Replies...
    Night Owl
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope they won't disappear or be absorbed like many more ancient tribes through history

    diane a
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe I am wrong - but I dont think Spain and Portugal have ownership rights to Southern and Central America nor the Carribbean. It is so mixed up I cannot work out what the indigenous population of the West Indies even was before the French, Spanish and British got their hands on them - along with a few million African slaves transported there. for centuries.

    Load More Replies...
    Johanna Martin
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They voted for him!!! Give him a chance. Can't get worse than what they have now

    sharron lynn parsons
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    May God help us, I am disgusted, these good people live the life they want and should be, they cause no problems, it's the insanity of others causing trouble. Is it contagious ???

    Apollo
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This 'tropical Trump' will probably do as much damage as the other one. People without empathy shouldn't be allowed to become politicians.

    Gino Arduini
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    apart from the good pics, this text is completey biased: "Last weekend, Brazil elected a new president, the far-right Jair Bolsonaro. He has vowed to destroy indigenous rights, to take the land that is rightfully theirs." this never ever happened! bolsonaro was not my first choice but i voted for him in the 2nd round, just like 57 million+ people did, for a number of very good reasons. the author forgot to say that the rights of indigenous peoples have been trampled for decades, including during the PT (workers' party) offices (14 years), and that there have been several cases of indian chieftains selling land to farmers or pocketing bribe money following their very personal interests. indigenous peoples have been granted land and the use of their native languages and they account for 220+ different ethnic groups living all over brazil, mainly in the N and W parts of the country. no one wants them to disappear. they must be assisted. but lying in not the right way to do so.

    Rick Fitz
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Brazil is dying of socialism. Bolsonaro is going to try to bring liberty to the people by destroying these sclerotic institutions. Private property, strong civil liberties and decentralization of power back to the states will make Brazil a much more prosperous, safe and strong country.

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