Solar panels and pristine forest: how one Amazon village is adapting to protect itself – in pictures

Metuktire, in the Indigenous Capoto-Jarina territory in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, is a pocket of resistance against mining, which has devastated the landscape in nearby areas. The AFP photographer Pablo Porciúncula travelled deep into Mato Grosso state to see how it has staved off deforestation and continued to honour its traditional ways of life – while also facing the threats of miners and the climate crisis

By the Xingu River, a tributary of the Amazon, Metuktire stands as a beacon of resistance against deforestation. Only 0.15% of the Capoto-Jarina territory was deforested between 2008 and 2024

Metuktire is a village of 400 people in the Capoto-Jarina’s near-pristine forest. The village has been protected largely thanks to its chief, Raoni Metutkire, an environmentalist who has gained international recognition. Thought to be in his 90s, Raoni lived here for a long time but now, for health reasons, lives in Peixoto de Azevedo, where he continues to advocate for his people with politicians

A villager and her children at their home in Metuktire. Resistance against intruders requires everyone in the local community to monitor and report illegal activities

The village enjoys a traditional way of life. One of the key food staples is cassava, also known as yuca or manioc, which is harvested by the women.  The women return from the cassava fields near the village.  While cassava is prepared in the tradiional way to make an unleavened bread or porridge, some aspects of modern life have been embraces by the villa as can be seen from the solar energy panel propped against the wall.  Indigenous men prepare to perform a traditional dance in Metuktire. Their strategy to protect the territory involves regular patrols and educating the younger members of the community in how to resist environmental crimes.  Kubenpari, one of the community chiefs, prepares himself at the warriors’ house before participating in a traditional dance. Beptok Metuktire, with other caciques or chiefs, speaks after performing the dance. ‘We have had goldminers and outsiders who wanted to occupy our lands,’ he says. ‘We show them that this is our territory’   

Cover photo:  The Capoto-Jarina territory has been recognised and protected by the Brazilian government since 1984. Metuktire is a symbol not only of resilience but also adaptation, with the community’s solar panels reflecting their commitment to sustainable energy