Source: Morning News
He lives in the Amazon region of Brazil, is said to be the last member of his tribe, spends most of his time hiding in a cave he has dug himself, known as "índio do Buraco" or "indigenous people in caves".
For many years, he lived a life of isolation away from the population. He resisted anyone who tried to approach, and if he found someone approaching, he would shoot arrows or set traps. He was also known as "the loneliest man in the world."
Recently, this mysterious and lonely man was confirmed to have died. With his departure, another language and culture, which has not yet been declassified and preserved, has disappeared into history, leaving only endless regrets and regrets.
Image source: Screenshot of the Guardian report.
"The Loneliest Man in the World"
He was the only one in the tribe who survived
The man lived in the Tanalu region of Rondônia and is considered the sole member of a local indigenous tribe.
The Guardian quoted Aboriginal expert Santos as saying that the man had had "traumatic" experiences with non-Aboriginal in the past, leading him to trust no one. Allegedly, in the 1980s, illegal ranchers left rat poison in the tribe, resulting in the deaths of everyone but the man.
The BBC also reported that most of his tribe was believed to have been killed by farmers who wanted to expand their land as early as the 1970s. By 1995, six remaining members of his tribe had been killed after being attacked by illegal miners.
He became the only survivor of the tribe and the "loneliest man in the world."
Image source: Screenshot of the BBC report.
The life of the "cave people"
Dig holes to hunt and hide, collect honey and fruits
Brazil's National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) discovered his presence in 1996 and has been monitoring his security in the area ever since.
Because the man had been avoiding contact with the outside world, it was not known what language he spoke or what ethnic group he might belong to.
Santos and others had left the man some tools, seeds and food as gifts, but were always refused.
In 2018, Aboriginal management staff successfully photographed him in the jungle. In the picture, he can be seen chopping down trees with something similar to an axe.
The staff also found his thatched hut and dug deep holes. Some of the holes have sharpened spikes at the bottom, believed to be his animal-hunting traps that can be used to catch wild boars. There are also some holes that appear to have been used for hiding.
Evidence found in the area over the years also indicates that the man had grown corn and cassava and had also collected honey, as well as fruits such as papayas and bananas.
Image source: Screenshot of the BBC report.
The body was covered with feathers
He probably knew he was going to die
Recently, FUNAI staff who remotely monitored the man found the man's body.
He was about 60 years old, lying in a hammock outside the thatched hut. The remains were in a "decaying" state and were covered with many brightly colored feathers.
Santos, an indigenous expert, told local media that perhaps the man knew he was going to die and put his feathers on himself. "He was waiting to die and there was no sign of violence.". Santos also said he may have been dead for 40 to 50 days before the body was found.
Local officials also said there were no signs of an invasion at his cabin. Administration will have an autopsy to determine if he is infected with a disease.
With the news of the man's death, many regretted the disappearance of yet another language and culture.
The Guardian quoted indigenous agencies as saying that the number of extant tribes is between 235 and 300, but it is difficult to grasp the exact number, because some tribes have little contact with society. In addition, at least 30 tribes allegedly live deep in the jungle, and no one knows the exact number, language or culture they use.