Inside the cannibal Matses tribe in the Amazon who used eat their own dead relatives ‘to absorb their spirits’
THESE incredible images lift the lid on a remote and little known tribe dwelling in the depths of Peru who sport whiskers and used to eat dead relatives to "absorb their souls".
The photographs were taken by adventurer Alexey Kolbov from Moscow, Russia, as he travelled along the Galves river, near Buen Peru village.
The women of this ancient Amazonian Matses tribe are recognisable thanks to their unique whiskers and facial tattoos.
Photographs taken by Alexey showcase these whiskers – known as "demuzh".
These are thin fibres of palm leaf are inserted into the nose.
Matses women can have up to ten of these on each side of the face and these adornments are considered beautiful.
Other photographs show the faces of the Matses children covered in red paint – thought to provide the wearer with strength.
This unique look also prevents Matses tribespeople from being kidnapped by other tribes, something that is common in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
One of the tribe members told me about when her grandfather died... they ritually ate his leg
Explorer Alexey Kolbov
Alexey spent two days travelling to the remote village – spending around eight days with the Matses tribe – and was made to feel incredibly welcome.
Despite the occasional tourist visit, the Matses tribe have been able to largely maintain their traditional ways.
It is only ceremonial cannibalism which has fallen out of practice in the 21st century.
This ancient ceremony allowed the tribe to absorb the spirits of their ancestors.
Alexey said: "They no longer practice cannibalism but Tumi. One of the tribe members told me about when her grandfather died...they ritually ate his leg."
Describing his journey to the tribe, Alexey said he was dropped off by aircraft piloted by the Peruvian army.
He said: "I then travelled by boat upstream for two days and reached the Matses tribe near the Brazilian border.
"I feel really at home there. Byso and Tumi, two of the women, were crying when I said goodbye and asked if I could visit again.
"Two things that are really remarkable about the Matses women are their tattoos and whiskers.
"The Matses consider these to be beautiful. Demuzh and tattoos also arose as a protection against kidnapping by other tribes. It was a way of self-identification."
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Because of the tribe’s remote location, they have been able to retain many of their traditional ways.
In Peru, there is no government organisation to protect indigenous minorities. The Matses have survived only because of their isolation.
Alexey said: "We have to learn more about these cultures.
"In the situation we are in right now with Coronavirus, we should look to these people so that we can learn how to value what we have – to create a more sustainable world."