Uncontacted peoples

Uncontacted peoples are groups of Indigenous peoples who live without sustained contact with neighbouring communities and the larger world community. Some of these groups choose to remain isolated, while others are protected by laws that aim to keep their way of life safe. It is difficult to know exactly how many uncontacted peoples exist because of these protections, but estimates suggest there are between 100 and 200 different tribes with up to 10,000 people in total.

In 2025, a group called Survival International published a detailed report about uncontacted peoples around the world. They found strong evidence of 196 such groups living in ten countries, mostly in South America, Asia, and the Pacific. The country with the most uncontacted peoples is Brazil, where 124 groups were identified.

We mainly learn about these communities from nearby Indigenous groups and from aerial footage. Their way of life offers valuable insights into different cultures and the importance of preserving traditions and environments.

Definition

Uncontacted peoples are Indigenous groups who have stayed mostly separate from the rest of the world. They choose to live independently, away from modern society and governments. Many of these groups have had some contact with others in the past, but they decided to return to isolation and live on their own.

Reports from groups like Survival International and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights help us understand these communities. They describe uncontacted peoples as groups who actively choose to avoid contact with outsiders. This lets them keep their traditional ways of life. These groups are part of today’s world, even though they live apart from most modern societies.

Relations with outsiders

International organizations stress the importance of protecting uncontacted peoples from harm, exploitation, and diseases. Threats to these groups often come from industries seeking natural resources like timber, minerals, and oil, as well as from criminal groups and some missionaries.

Historically, contact with outsiders has brought serious dangers to these tribes, including diseases and loss of land. Some tribes choose to remain isolated to protect their way of life, while others have made contact due to fear or need. Groups like Brazil’s FUNAI work to protect these communities and allow controlled trading, but face challenges due to limited funding and pressure to open lands for commercial use. Guidelines from the United Nations and other bodies support the right of these peoples to remain isolated if they choose.

By region

India

The Sentinelese people live on North Sentinel Island near South Andaman Island in the Bay of Bengal. They choose to stay away from others, and attempts to talk to them have often been pushed back. Their language is very different from others in the area, showing they have been separate for a long time. They are considered one of the most isolated groups in the world.

The Shompen people live on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They live in the forests and have refused most contact with people outside their group. Big plans to build things like airports and factories could change their home and way of life.

South America

Bolivia

Bolivia is home to 13 groups that choose to stay away from others. Three live on land that the government has set aside for them. The Toromona live near the Madidi River and are protected by a special part of Madidi National Park.

Brazil

Brazil has 124 groups of people who stay away from others, and 88 live on land the government has recognized. The government has created protected areas like Vale do Javari to help keep these groups safe. Some groups, like the Awá, face dangers from people who cut down trees in their forests.

Colombia

Colombia has 18 groups of people who stay away from others, and two live on land the government has recognized. The country has made big protected areas and patrols to keep these groups safe.

Ecuador

Ecuador has three groups of people who stay away from others, and all live on land the government has recognized. Two groups, the Tagaeri and the Taromenane, live in Yasuni National Park and choose not to meet new people.

Paraguay

About 100 Ayoreo people live away from others in forests in Paraguay. They move around, hunt, and gather food. Their land is threatened by people cutting down trees for farms.

Peru

Peru has 28 groups of people who stay away from others, and 16 live on land the government has recognized. The Nomole people, also called Mashco-Piro, live in Manú National Park and do not want to be contacted. There are many other small groups living in similar ways.

Venezuela

Venezuela has four groups of people who stay away from others. These groups include parts of the Hoti, Yanomami, and Piaroa tribes. The government does not have special rules to protect these groups.

Indonesia

Indonesia has four groups of people who stay away from others, not counting those in Western New Guinea.

Java

Banten is home to the Baduy people, who live in three parts: the Inner Baduy, who avoid all outside contact; the Outer Baduy, who allow some contact; and the Dangka, who live outside the main area and have regular contact with others.

North Maluku

The O'Hongana Manyawa (Inner Tobelo or Togutil) live in the forests of Halmahera Island. In 2023, they were filmed warning logging companies to stay out of their lands.

Sulawesi

The Polahi live in the forests of Gorontalo. Stories say they moved there around the 17th century to avoid Dutch colonists, and they remain isolated today.

Western New Guinea

There may be two to ten uncontacted tribes in the West Papua region of Indonesia. It is hard for outsiders to visit, and there is no special government group to protect these tribes. Some groups work to raise awareness about these tribes to prevent development near their lands.

Historical

The New Guinea Highlands were first explored by Western visitors in the 1930s, where they discovered over a million people living in the highland valleys.

In Peru, the Matsés people made their first lasting contact with the outside world in 1969, after years of conflict with government forces.