I remember that some years ago circulated on internet a project made by a british photographer called Jimmy Nelson. It's an amazing work, each picture has an unique impact on the viewer, I can only imagine what he felt in his journey worldwide to register those groups at risk of disappearing.
Content as deep as a shot of vodka
The website where I first saw this photos emphasized visual aestetics, sure it's gorgeous, but it's like something was missing... I had curiosity to learn more about their culture, where they come from or at least the name of their ethnicities to do a google research. They hadn't even mentioned it.
It was at this time I realized that even with his work, some people hadn't understood the purpose of those pictures. They are not only to visual delight, they are a resiliance symbol of those groups that haven't allowed time and the so called modernity erase their identities.
Before They Pass Away
I made my research and found out the name of his project, which is: Before They Pass Away.
Also checked his website and could know more about those people. I even found out he's added more groups to his work!
The list is long, but it will mark you. Just like me when I first saw it years ago but with the plus of knowing their names and having a quote about some of their sayings.
Kazakh (Mongolia)
“Fine horses and fierce eagles are the wings of the Kazakh”
Himba (Namibia)
"Don’t start your farming with cattle, start it with people”
Huli (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
"Knowledge is only rumour until it is in the muscle"
Asaro (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
Kalam (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
Goroka (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
Chukchi (Siberia)
“The way you treat your dog in this life determines your place in heaven”
Maori (New Zealand)
“My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul”
Mustang (Nepal)
“The one who is guilty has the higher voice”
Gauchos (Argentina and Equador)
“A Gaucho without a horse is only half a man”
Samburu (Kenya and Tanzania)
“A deaf ear meets with death, a listening ear with blessings”
Tsaatan (Mongolia)
"If there were no reindeer we would not exist”
Rabari (India)
"It is morning whenever you wake up"
Mursi (Ethiopia)
"It’s better to die than live without killing”
Ladakhi (India)
"The land is so harsh and the passes so numerous, that only the best of friends or the worst of enemies would visit you"
Vanuatu (Vanuatu)
“A girl is like a branch of nettle tree – whatever ground you plant it in, it will grow”
Tibetans (Tibet)
“Better to see once than to hear many times”
Huaroni (Argentina and Equador)
“As our ancestors live, so will we live; as our ancestors died, so will we die”
Drokpa (India)
“Boast during the day, be humble at night”
Dassanech (Ethiopia)
**“A close friend can become a close enemy” **
Banna (Ethiopia)
Karo (Ethiopia)
Hamar (Ethiopia)
Arbore (Ethiopia)
Dani (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
“If the hand does nothing, the mouth does not chew”
Yali (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
Korowai (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
Nenets (Siberia)
“If you don’t drink warm blood and eat fresh meat, you are doomed to die on the tundra”
Maasai (Kenya and Tanzania)
“Lions can run faster than us, but we can run farther”