“The Most Isolated Man in the World” passed away this month in the Amazon rainforest, taking with him an entire culture and answers to thousands of questions.
When officials from Brazil’s indigenous protection agency approached the hut in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, they confirmed their worst fears. They were witnessing the first recorded disappearance of an isolated tribe in the country’s history, according to the New York Times.
The last known survivor of an unnamed tribe has been confirmed dead. He was found deceased on a hammock, and with him vanished an entire culture and answers to thousands of questions.
A Sad Milestone
Even the man’s name is shrouded in mystery. He was only known as “the man who lives in the hole” because of the dozens of holes he had dug over the years. His age could only be guessed, with officials estimating he was around 60 years old.
This marks a sad milestone for a country that has seen efforts to protect indigenous people wane in recent years. According to the New York Times, this is due to the government’s prioritization of exploiting the Amazon rainforest over protecting this precious resource.
Officials from Brazil’s National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) found the body of “the most isolated man in the world” on August 23 during a patrol in the Tanaru area of Rondônia state.
FUNAI reported that the man likely died of natural causes. The agency sent forensic experts to examine the scene and later transported the body to the capital, Brasília, for an autopsy.
“The most isolated man in the world” passed away in August. (Photo: Funai-Fundacao Nacional do Indio).
A FUNAI official also revealed plans to return the body to the forest for burial. According to Marcelo dos Santos, an indigenous expert, the man’s body was covered in feathers, suggesting he may have anticipated his death.
While this is the first recorded disappearance of an isolated tribe, experts believe that other communities may have gone extinct without being documented.
FUNAI has reported evidence of at least 114 isolated groups living in Brazil, but only 28 communities have been confirmed to exist. Consequently, the remaining 86 tribes do not benefit from government protection.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has supported industries that promote the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, leading to record levels of deforestation.
This leader has loosened regulations to expand farming and logging activities in the Amazon while cutting back protections for indigenous groups and conservation areas.
He has also reduced federal funding and staffing, weakening agencies that enforce indigenous and environmental laws.
“Many of these tribes have gone extinct without the state or society even being aware. This is very serious,” stated Guilherme Martins, an indigenous expert at FUNAI.
According to the expert, as long as FUNAI does not officially recognize the existence of these communities, their territories will remain unprotected.
The Mystery
With the enforcement of protective policies, some tribes may be able to avoid the risk of extinction.
Some officials warn that FUNAI has not been proactive enough in confirming new isolated tribes. Such confirmations would allow the lands where they reside to be protected.
In Rondônia, the sole resident of an 8,000-hectare area lived completely isolated for at least 26 years after the remaining members of his tribe were killed by land invaders.
According to Mr. Santos, local residents confirmed at least two attacks against this tribe. They were once poisoned, and another incident occurred in the 1990s when about six remaining members were nearly shot to death.
This man has dug dozens of holes over the years. (Photo: Survival).
Mr. Santos believes that what happened to the people in the tribe of “the man who lives in the hole” constitutes genocide.
FUNAI made direct contact with this man in 1996. According to expert Santos, the man was found hiding in his hut.
“We searched the area to find his home where he was hiding. We tried to communicate, providing corn and bows and arrows, but he was extremely frightened and very aggressive. From that point on, we had to respect his isolation,” Mr. Santos shared.
A year later, FUNAI restricted access to this area to prevent incursions by loggers and landowners. This protective decree remains in effect until 2025.
This man would flee upon sensing the presence of any patrol agents in the area. He was referred to as “the man who lives in the hole” by FUNAI agents and the Brazilian media due to the dozens of holes he had dug over the years.
“His belongings and tools were similar to those of indigenous groups across the region. The only thing that set him apart was the existence of these holes,” Mr. Santos said.
Some holes dug outside the huts contained sharpened stakes, which officials believe were used for hunting. Additionally, many scratches were found inside the hut.
“This may be a sign that they hold some mystical significance,” Mr. Santos said.
Even with protective measures in place, the forest in this area has been widely devastated until about 13 years ago. Attacks against the last living man continued, including an assault by armed gunmen in 2009, local reports indicated.
Fiona Watson, research director at Survival International, mentioned joining FUNAI agents on an expedition in 2005. The trip was conducted to confirm that the man was still alive and to monitor the area for signs of illegal activity.
“To me, he symbolizes resistance and resilience,” Ms. Watson said. According to her, this man was capable of surviving independently, not speaking to anyone, and avoiding all contact.
