2. International Day for the World’s Indigenous People A slideshow by Laura Storr Photos by DPA and PROEXPOSURE’s Annie Bungeroth and Marcella Haddad
3. Indigenous people are found on every continent of the world and include a hugely diverse range of ethnic groups and cultures.
4. Most have a strong historical and spiritual link to their land and natural resources, as well as unique traditions and cultures, all of which they wish to preserve.
5. Many indigenous people today find their homes and way of life at risk due to increasing pressures on their land.
6. Miratu is a tiny village, deep in the Amazon forest in Brazil. The 40 families that live there survive by fishing and hunting.
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8. The families in Miratu are Miranha people, who originally came from Colombia to find work in the rubber trade. Their identity is still very important to them. Valde is the “tuxaua” or community leader. He says: “In the past everyone worked together. Now people are better educated, but they are also more separate.”
9. Most people now grow cassava to make flour, which they sell locally. But the price of cassava is falling, which makes it hard for them to earn enough money to live.
10. The community collect “cipo”, a type of vine to make baskets and other traditional crafts. Most of these skills have been passed down for generations.
11. “The Miranha people have existed since the world first existed. Our culture is very important to us. We don’t want to lose it.” Maria Martus Ferreira.
12. In Cambodia, the indigenous groups of Kreung, Tampuan, Jorai and Phnong live in the remote forests of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri.
13. The forests and natural resources on which they depend are threatened by illegal logging, mining companies and plantations that want to move them off their land.
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15. Village elders from these communities were concerned that some of the traditional practices and cultures were not being passed on to the younger generation.
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19. PROEXPOSURE photo trainer, Annie Bungeroth gave photography training to young people from one of these communities. The project has enabled them to document their culture and communicate the issues that are important to them.
20. Six young people were given digital cameras, and learned how to take photos. “The photos we have taken will help us preserve our culture and improve the understanding for other young people.” Somon Mary, 23 (pictured), indigenous photographer
21. “I want to document our lives through photos. It will help people like me, who are part of the younger generation, learn traditional crafts and practices and pass them on, so they are not forgotten.” Van Oer, 29, indigenous photographer.
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26. “The most important thing for me is to preserve our traditional ceremonies.” Nat Yat, 28, indigenous photographer.
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29. “I want to see my community develop. It’s important because indigenous people are marginalised in Cambodia, but they also have the right to education and the right to learn. Keo Choeun, 28, indigenous photographer
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32. “I was so impressed with how quickly the young people learned how to take photos that communicated a strong message. I hope this project will bring the generations together and help them preserve what makes their culture unique.” Annie Bungeroth, PROEXPOSURE photo trainer (pictured).
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34. Our tailor-made courses include photography, film and audio training to suit all your needs. To find out more about PROEXPOSURE training contact our friendly team on +44 (0)20 7275 8472 or email lnorton@proexposure.co.uk
