Matis Indians - The Jaguar People

Amazon Native Tribe

Photos by Dan James Pantone, Ph.D.

On the border of Peru and Brazil, Amazon natives still live like they have for thousands of years – hunting and gathering.  The Matis tribe are still primarily hunters.  These Amazon natives first made contact with outsiders about thirty years ago and still practice their ancient way of life.  The Matis are among the best hunters in the Amazon.  This native Amazonian Indian tribe uses four-meter blowguns with  poison darts to hunt animals.
 
Most Amazon tribes have lost much of their traditional medicine.  Not so with the Matis Indians whose knowledge of traditional Amazon medicine still survives despite the encouragement of the Brazilian government for them to accept western medical treatments. 

The Matis Indians were nearly wiped out after their first contact with the outside world.  At present, only about  260 native Matis Indians survive.   Curiously, all the Matis live in one village on the Itui River in Brazil.   Since, the 1990's the Indigenous Reserve has been off-limits to outsiders in an effort to preserve the culture of these Amazonian Indians.

If you want to learn more about the Matis tribe and discover how you can help them sustain their native traditions, contact  [email protected].  For additional information, please visit www.amazon-indians.org/matis.  Five different videos of expeditions to the Matis Indians are available on CD.