An Indigenous man, covered in tattoos reminiscent of a jaguar’s spots, connects to TikTok for the first time from the depths of the Brazilian Amazon. The Matsés indigenous people, among the most isolated in the Amazon, have recently made a leap into modernity with the arrival of Starlink, the satellite internet access network owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.

In the Village of Nova Esperança, in the Javari Valley, excitement fills the air as an antenna, powered by a solar panel, is installed on the roof of the school. The 200 residents of this village, located over 500 kilometers and three days by canoe from any urban area, will now have access to the internet, a privilege in this remote region of northwest Brazil, near the border with Peru and Colombia.

The Matsés are one of the seven “contacted” peoples of the Javari, the second largest indigenous land in Brazil, covering 8.5 million hectares and home to at least 19 indigenous groups in voluntary isolation.

The Matsés’ first prolonged contact with modernity dates back to the 1970s. As a nomadic and warrior people, they are known for their tattoos and facial ornaments made of bone and ivory. While some signs of adaptation to the modern world are visible, the Matsés still spend their time hunting, fishing, singing, and painting their bodies. The elders still have tattooed faces.

The internet will allow Bene Mayuruna, the president of the General Organization of the Matsés People, based in the nearest city of Atalaia do Norte, to communicate more easily with residents of different villages, avoiding the long journeys by motorized canoe. The municipality of Atalaia do Norte is financing the installation of the network, an initiative that could revolutionize the lives of these populations, but also disrupt their culture, which has already been impacted by modernity.

According to César Mayuruna, the only indigenous city councilor in Atalaia do Norte, the main objective is to improve education. He hopes that by having internet access, the community will be able to train civil engineers, geologists, architects, lawyers, and nurses. Internet, compared to the village’s only radio, would also enhance emergency healthcare response, especially for snake bites, as sometimes the radio doesn’t work due to lack of battery or a solar panel.

In addition to education and healthcare, internet connectivity could improve the security of the region along the Javari River, where illegal fishermen, drug traffickers, and pirates often target indigenous communities.

Despite the benefits, the Matsés also express concerns about the cultural impact of internet access. They worry that the younger generation will lose interest in traditional activities and neglect their responsibilities. The internet has already captured their attention with TikTok and YouTube videos.

The municipality of Atalaia do Norte, which covers the subscription fees for the network, has promised to equip the 62 indigenous villages in the region, with a total population of nearly 6,000 people, by the end of the year.

However, some Matsés are starting to question Elon Musk’s intentions and what he will do with the data collected. They have learned from their interactions with the Western society that “with the Whites, nothing is truly free.”

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