Dani elder from New Guinea. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Today, August 9th, is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. To help celebrate the world’s indigenous cultures, mongabay.com has put together this collection of photos. Indigenous groups worldwide are facing a wide array of threats, some of which not only imperil their way of life, but their existence. Deforestation, hydroelectric projects, oil and gas drilling, illegal logging, poverty, hunger, and general ambivalence from governments and societies at large have marginalized many indigenous groups.
Turkana women in northern Kenya. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Arhauco man in Colombia. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Quencha woman in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Hmong child texting on her phone. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Zafimaniry children in Madagascar. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Kayapo shaman in Brazil. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Uighur woman in front of her yurt in China. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Maasai elder in Kenya. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Huaorani guide in modern dress in Ecuador. Photo by Jeremy Hance.
Tibetan woman at horse fair. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Lani men in a hut in Indonesian New Guinea. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Trio shaman in Suriname. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Purko man in Kenya. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Vezo child in Madagascar. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
For news on indigenous groups: Indigenous news.