Peru contacts unknown Amazon tribe

Peruvian authorities have presented video footage of a previously uncontacted Amazonian tribe.


The footage was taken in the Kugapakori Nahua Nanti reserve in the country's southeast by members of the government-run National Institute of Development of Andean, Amazonian and Afro-Peruvians (Indepa).

They saw the indigenous group while monitoring area checkpoints that have been installed to prevent entry of unauthorised persons, specifically illegal loggers.

The video - which was presentation at the National Museum and viewed by various government representatives - shows indigenous tribes interacting with Indepa workers.

It also shows a series of rustic huts made from palm leaves and cane that were discovered in August 2009.

Indepa president, Mayta Capac Alatrista, explained how they had been able to gain an insight into their unknown way of life.

"With work that has been done from the five monitoring posts in the Kugapakori Nahua Nanti reserve, we have been able to find and casually meet with voluntarily isolated populations or initiate first contact. We suppose this contact has been made because they went down to the streams in search of food because they are nomads.

"We have photographic record and have even been able to interact with them to see how they go about their daily lives. We have been able to bring them some tools that they have used to hunt, to fish and cook," said Capac Alatrista.

A small exhibition of tools, arrows and handmade pottery, along with skeletons of hunted animals, was also on display.