The Tapirapé
The Tapirapé people live deep in the forest, relatively isolated from the outside world and far from major rivers. Their territory is located in Central Brazil, with the Shavante to the south, the Karajá to the east, and the Kayapó to the north.

The Tapirapé first came into sustained contact with outsiders during the rubber boom in 1911. The resulting exploitation and depopulation was near-catastrophic, reducing the population to a single village. As in other traditional societies, increased contact with the outside world, mining, logging, and roads are slowly eroding Tapirapé culture.

Image Caption: Tapirapé: A fully decorated young man preparing for his coming of age ceremony. IIlustration by Mr. Winfield Coleman.