Amazonas

National Parks in Amazonas state are surrounded by table mountains of Yacapan, Duida, Serrania la Neblina and Parima-Tapirapeco. Rainforests stretch south towards Brazil cut by Orinoco and smaller rivers. The most isolated is Autana mountain rising vertically 1300m out of green forest. Everywhere arround the landscape is formed by huge granit rocks where you can see prehistoric drawings discovered in that region. The capital of the state is Puerto Ayacucho with very interesting museum devoted of culture of Indians Yanomami, Piaroa and Yekwana. Those Indians perfectly suit to jungle conditions and live in line with nature, still nowadays. The first contact with white men Yanomami had in early sixtees. Currently they benefit from missioners and government help, they are injected against illnesses, many civilised products are delivered to their villages. It is possible for tourists to visit tribes of Indians during tours by boats deeply into jungle to those villages, which are located closer to missioners. Yanomami plant bananas, yuka, corn, cotton and also hallucinogenic plants which they use in ceremony of yopo. While drugged by plant shaman connects to the world of spirits, cure illnesses. Both men and women paint bodies, women pierce their noses and lips with thin bamboo sticks. Men wear bracelets made from feathers of coloured birds, women have flowers in their ears and not cover their breasts. Piaroa Indians are famous of making beautiful masks presenting faces of animals. During ceremonies they cover bodies with palm leafs, put masks on heads and dance to bring luck and rich production of nature food to the village. Yecuana Indians are masters of building wooden boats. They are very ascetic people and connect everything with magic features. Below pictures are from Maraca village of Yanomami community, close to Rio Siapa at Serrania La Neblina National Park of Venezuela.