Portraits of the Disappearing Tribes of the World
Photographer Jimmy Nelson spent three years between 2010 and 2013 visiting some of the indigenous cultures found in the furthest corners of our planet. His goal was to capture portraits of the disappearing people groups and to preserve glimpses of their rites, customs, and traditions — photos that he hopes will remain even if these cultures fade away.
The project was initially funded by Dutch billionaire Marcel Boekhoorn, who contributed €400,000 toward the work. Over the course of the project, Nelson traveled to more than 35 different tribes found in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the South Pacific.
After making contact and establishing friendships with the members, Nelson would ask them to pose for portraits shot using his 50-year-old 4×5-inch large-format camera.
We first featured this project back in 2013. Here’s a larger selection of photographs:
![Altantsogts, Bayan Olgii Mongolia, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/K3.jpg)
![Rauwhiri Winitana Paki Taupo Village, North Islands New Zealand, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/MAORI-18-SOUVBOOK-kl.jpg)
![Rock of Rah Rah lava Island, Torba Province Vanuatu Islands, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/van-2b.jpg)
![Oxana Teyunrultett & Oleasya Etguest, Second Brigade Chukotka Russia, 2012](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/chuk-9.jpg)
![Tumbu, Hangu, Peter, Hapiya, Kati, Hengene & Steven Huli Wigmen, Ambua Falls, Tari Valley Papua New Guinea, 2010](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/PNG-8.jpg)
![Yakim, Brigade 2, Nenet Yamal Peninsula, Ural Mountains Russia, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/nenet-8.jpg)
![Lelesas, Louelen, Lewangu, Lepokodou, Loingu & Nyerere Ndoto Mountain Range Kenya, 2010](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/samburu-2b.jpg)
![Goroka, Eastern Highlands Papua New Guinea, 2010](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/PNG-43_web.jpg)
![Bayau Bulang Renchinkhumbe, Khovsgol Mongolia, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/TSA-10.jpg)
![Dele, Lale, Korcho Village, Omo Valley, Ethiopia, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/omo-29.jpg)
![Noel Pearse & Dominique Pere Huka Falls, North Island New Zealand, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/MAORI_waterfalls_new.jpg)
![Hilao Moyizo Village, Omo Valley Ethiopia, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/NELS120799-TRIBES-OMO-VALLEY-019.jpg)
![Lekir Monastery Ladakh India, 2012](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/lad-5.jpg)
![Menaja Koke Ponowi Village, Jalibu Mountains, Western Highlands Papua New Guinea, 2010](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/PNG-13_web.jpg)
![Nyerere, Loingu, Lewangum & Lepokodou Kaisut Desert Kenya, 2010](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/samburu-17m.jpg)
![Perak Lady Lamayuru Monastery, Lamayaru Village, Ladakh India, 2012](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/lad-8.jpg)
![Garsho, Hylo, Pita, Colle, Aike & Garupa Bori Village, Southern Omo Ethiopia, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/omo-33.jpg)
![Yangshuo Cormorants China, 2005](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/000_XXII467_vissers_4x5.jpg)
![Gisborne Festival, North Island New Zealand, 2011](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/NELS120792-TRIBES-MAORI-003.jpg)
![Bartholomeuw, Rubin, Gibson & Samson, Kalam Tribesmen Simbai, Nukunt Village, Bismark Range, Central Highlands Papua New Guinea, 2010](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2015/06/PNG-40.jpg)
Before They Pass Away has been published as a 424 page hardcover book containing 402 color photographs by Teneues. You can find the different editions you can purchase in this online shop. There’s also an online gallery where you can view and purchase art prints of the images.
Image credits: Photographs by Jimmy Nelson/Before They Pass Away and used with permission