Before They Pass Away by Jimmy Nelson

Karo Tribe, Ethiopia.

Kalam Tribe, Papua New Guinea.

Huli Tribe, Papua New Guinea.

Asaro Tribe, Indonesia.

Mursi Tribe, Ethiopia.

Drokpa Tribe, Kasmir, India.

Jimmy Nelson is a photographer of people who set out to search for the world’s last indigenous cultures. His goal is to document these rapidly disappearing communities for future generations. Nelson fascinating project, Before They Pass Away, is a unique global documentation of the worlds last and most beautiful tribes and cultures. Featuring over 500 images, this project highlights 35 different tribes across 5 contents. Presented as a book, a series of art prints, and a soon to be released DVD, Before They Pass Away is an extraordinary view into the emotional and spiritual lives of the last indigenous people, with evocative portraits created with photographer’s 4×5 camera.

Maasai Tribe, Tanzania.

Himba Tribe, Namibia.

Maori People, New Zealand.

Huaorani Tribe, Ecuador.

Many Vanuatu, Vanuatu.

Mustang Tribe, Nepal.

Rabari Tribe, Rajastan, India.

Samburu Tribe, Kenya.

Gaucho Tribe, Argentina.

The Kazakhs, Mongolia.

The Nenets, Siberia.

The Tibetans, China.

I feel so deeply moved by this project and Nelson’s palpable images which, for me, tap into the essence of mankind and the spirit of humanity. Seeing all these painted bodies, fee souls and wild spirits makes me want to discard all my worldly possessions, move to the jungle and get tattooed up. Ok, not really, although – looking at these images – I can’t help but wonder (yet again) if our Western society has completely lost the plot in our relentless pursuit of the material, the beautiful and the unattainable. The lifestyle darling… *eyeroll*

Nelson started working as a photographer in 1987, where he set off on his own to travel through Tibet for a year. The documentation of this journey was the first of many to come. If you are so inclined, his amazing book can be purchased here and here. In the meantime, feel free to scroll the below gallery for full screen images. Enjoy!