The World’s Most Threatened Tribes
Every day, it seems we’re hearing more and more about the struggles of endangered species and the importance of preserving their habitats. We are also learning more about the worldwide plight of indigenous peoples, which often get overlooked when it comes to conservation efforts. There are over 370 known tribes that are classified as “endangered” and living on the brink of extinction. Their ways of life are threatened by modern forces, environmental changes and political turmoil. Here is a look at some of the world’s most threatened tribes and how they are trying to preserve their culture and way of life.
What is an Endangered tribe?
An endangered tribe is defined as a community of people who face extinction due to modern forces, environmental factors, and/or political instability. In many cases, these tribes are facing extinction due to a combination of these issues and are struggling to preserve their way of life and culture.
The Dangers Facing Endangered Tribes
Endangered tribes around the world are facing a multitude of challenges, which can range from climate change, natural disasters, deforestation and poaching to encroachment from external forces. Indigenous people are often disadvantaged when it comes to access to essential resources, education, healthcare and protection of their rights.
In addition, many tribes experience a loss of knowledge, language, culture and history due to the loss of their traditional lands and disruption of their ways of life.
The Most Threatened Tribes Around the World
- The Yanomami Tribe of the Amazon
The Yanomami are an indigenous tribe of around 35,000 people who live in the remote jungles of the Amazon. For centuries they have managed their natural resources in a sustainable way, but they now face a litany of dangers; including illegal mining, deforestation, and encroachment of modern society. In recent years, the Yanomami have fought to preserve their traditional culture, land rights, and way of life.
- The Sentilese Tribe of India
The Sentilese are an indigenous tribe of around 8,000 people living on the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. In recent years, the Sentilese have seen increased encroachment from tourists and hotels, which have disrupted their traditional lifestyle and freedom. In addition, the Sentilese people are struggling to preserve their way of life due to the Indian government’s failure to recognize them as a protected tribe.
- The Mursi Tribe of Ethiopia
The Mursi are an indigenous tribe of around 20,000 people living in the remote Omo Valley of Ethiopia. The Mursi people have managed to preserve their traditional way of life for centuries, but now face a range of threats. These include the influx of modern technology, agricultural encroachment, and poaching. The tribes’ access to essential resources, such as water and food, is also under threat from rising temperatures, drought and deforestation.
- The Akuntsu Tribe of Brazil
The Akuntsu are an indigenous tribe of just four members, who live in the rainforests of the Xingu region of Brazil. They have been unable to preserve their traditional language, culture and way of life due to a lack of contact with outsiders in recent years. In 2018, the Akuntsu were granted an emergency decree, allowing them to retain their land rights.
- The Iñupiat of Alaska
The Iñupiat are an indigenous tribe of around 30-34,000 people in Alaska. The Iñupiat people have managed to preserve their traditional culture and way of life, which has been impacted by climate change, drilling and exploitation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The tribe are struggling to secure their subsistence lifestyle, access to traditional foods, and to protect their land rights.
- The Maasai of East Africa
The Maasai are an indigenous tribe of around 1.5 million people in East Africa. The Maasai people have managed to preserve their traditional culture and way of life for centuries, but are now facing threats from poaching, agricultural encroachment and decreased access to resources, such as water. In addition, the rapid development of East Africa has pushed the Maasai people out of their traditional homeland and into poverty.
- The Sentinelese Tribe of India
The Sentinelese are an indigenous tribe of around 500 people in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. This tribe is one of the most isolated in the world and they are some of the last people untouched by modern society. The Sentinelese people are struggling to survive on a subsistence lifestyle, which is faced by the potential threat of diseases, displacement and exploitation of their culture and resources.
- The Yakut of Siberia
The Yakut are an indigenous tribe of around 500,000 people living in the remote regions of Siberia. This tribe is struggling to preserve their traditional culture due to a range of threats, such as resource exploration, infrastructure development and poaching. In addition, modern influences, such as technology and consumerism, are quickly changing the traditional way of life of the Yakut people.
- The Innu Tribe of Canada
The Innu are an indigenous tribe of around 20,000 people living in Eastern Canada. Their traditional way of life and culture is constantly under threat due to a range of issues, such as resource exploitation, deforestation and the encroachment of modern society. In addition, the Innu people have experienced a decrease in access to resources, healthcare and education, as well as forced resettlement on their traditional lands.
- The Saami of the Arctic
The Saami are an indigenous tribe of around 50,000 people who live in the Arctic regions of Europe. The Saami people have managed to preserve their traditional, nomadic way of life for centuries; however, they now face a range of threats. These include climate change, natural disasters, resource extraction and forced resettlements of their traditional lands.
Creating Awareness Around Endangered Tribes
Endangered tribes need our help in order to survive and preserve their traditional cultures and ways of life. Here are some ways to get involved and become an advocate for these threatened people.
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Donate to organizations that fight for indigenous rights.
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Sign petitions that protect threatened tribes and their lands.
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Research and learn about the unique cultures and lifestyles of endangered tribes.
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Raise awareness by sharing stories about specific tribes through social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
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Celebrate and support indigenous art and music.
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Educate yourself on the politics of corporations and governments that threaten and exploit tribes’ resources.
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Be conscious of the products you buy that may be derived from tribal lands or cultures.
Endangered tribes are facing extinction due to a range of issues, such as climate change, natural disasters, and resource extraction. While we are seeing more environmental awareness and conservation efforts around endangered species, we must also recognize the struggles of Indigenous peoples, who are also a threatened population. Creating awareness around the plight of these tribes is essential in order to ensure they can protect their traditional cultures and ways of life.