The Endangered Indigenous Communities of the World

There are currently 467 million citizens in more than 90 countries in the world who identify themselves as indigenous people. With over 5,000 different ethnic groups, indigenous people make up about 6.2 percent of the global population. Sadly, due to climate change, land invasions, the exploitation of natural resources in the animal-people livestock industry, and other factors, many indigenous cultures are diminishing at an alarming rate. In our show today, we will bring to light some of the ethnic groups across our planet that are in urgent need of protection.

The Akuntsu is an Amazonian ethnic group from the Rondônia state in western Brazil. As of August 30th, 2022, only three members are remaining. Northeast of Brazil, the Nukak Maku are known as Colombia’s last nomadic community. According to Colombia’s national indigenous peoples’ organization, at least 32 native groups in the country are at imminent risk of extinction.

We now travel to the lush rainforests of the Andaman Islands, a territory of India about 1,600 kilometers east of the country in the Bay of Bengal, to meet the Jarawa Nation. They are believed to be the descendants of the first humans who came out of Africa millions of years ago. In the northeastern province of Kenya, in Loiyangalani village on the coast of Lake Turkana, we meet the El Molo who is the smallest ethnic group in the country. They believe in God, known to them as Waaq, and wear beautiful charms to protect themselves against misfortune and disease.

In the last couple of years, COVID-19 has become a tremendous cause for concern amongst indigenous communities as many citizens have little to no immunity to the diseases of the outside world. What can we do to help ensure these indigenous communities that have survived for thousands of years continue to have a lasting future? Many concerned individuals, NGOs and government bodies in the world have taken effective measures.

Survival International is a non-profit-organization dedicated to promoting native people’s rights across the planet for over fifty years. FUNAI, or National Indian Foundation, is part of the Brazilian government, and focuses on protecting lands traditionally inhabited and used by indigenous communities.