March 11, 2014 at 1:29 pm

15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

by twistedsifter

ladakhi by jimmy nelson before they pass away photo project

Ladakhi – Photograph by Jimmy Nelson

 

In 2009, photographer Jimmy Nelson set out on a journey to document the ‘world’s last indigenous cultures’. Using a 4×5 camera, Nelson took an amazing series of portraits, featuring 31 ancient tribes around the world.

The project, entitled Before They Pass Away, culminated with an elegant hardcover book (available in three versions) featuring stories of his encounters and nearly 500 photos.

The series has also led to a number of speaking engagements and exhibits around the world. See here for a list of upcoming events.

On the project website, beforethey.com, you will find many additional pictures of each tribe along with information about Nelson’s experience photographing each.

The project has also received some criticism. Most notably from Tim McLaughlin and Elissa Washuta. Nelson even responded to McLaughlin’s critical review of the project here.

The dialogue in the articles above are valuable and the fact that Nelson responded to the criticism provides an intriguing conversation around the topic. I encourage you to read them and derive your own conclusions.

For the latest from Before They Pass Away, you can find more information at the links below.

 

Before They Pass Away
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

1. Chukchi
Russian Arctic Region

chukchi jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

2. Huli
Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea

huli-papua-new-guinea-jimmy-nelson-before-they-pass-away

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

3. Goroka
Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea

goroka jimmy nelson before they pass away 2 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

4. Kazakhs
Northern Parts of Central Asia

kazakhs jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

5. Rabari
India

rabari jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

6. Vanuatu
Island Nation in the South Pacific Ocean

vanuatu jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

7. Ladakhi
Northern India

ladakhi jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

8. Dani
Western New Guinea

dani jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

9. Mursi
Southwestern Ethiopia

mursi jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

10. Kalam
Eastern Papua New Guinea

kalam tribe jimmy nelson

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

11. Mustang
Nepal

mustang jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

12. Māori
New Zealand

maori jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

13. Karo
Omo Valley, Ethiopia

karo tribe jimmy nelson

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

14. Samburu
North-Central Kenya

samburu jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

15. Nenets
Northern Arctic Russia

nenet jimmy nelson before they pass away 15 Striking Portraits of Ancient Tribes Around the World

Photograph by JIMMY NELSON
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Order the book

 

 

 

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