The remote Marubo tribe in the Amazon rainforest has recently accessed high-speed internet through Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service. This development has brought both benefits and challenges to the 2,000-member community. The internet connection has allowed the Marubo to quickly contact authorities during emergencies, such as potentially fatal snake bites.
It has also facilitated the sharing of educational resources with other Amazonian tribes. Enoque Marubo, 40, said, “It’s already saved lives.
However, the sudden exposure to the outside world has introduced new societal challenges, particularly regarding pornography and social media. Alfredo Marubo expressed concern about the influx of explicit content, noting changes in behavior among the younger members of the tribe.
“We’re worried young people will want to try it,” he said.
Marubo grapples with Starlink’s impact.
“Everyone is so connected that sometimes they don’t even talk to their own family.”
The introduction of the internet has also disrupted traditional ways of life.
Tsainama Marubo, 73, said, “When it arrived, everyone was happy. But now, things have gotten worse. Young people have gotten lazy because of the internet; they’re learning the ways of white people.
To mitigate the adverse effects, tribe leaders have enforced strict limits on internet usage, allowing access for two hours each morning, five hours in the evening, and all day Sunday.
Despite these measures, parents remain concerned about the potential loss of their cultural heritage and the attraction of violent video games. Critics argue that introducing the Internet to remote communities risks erasing unique cultures and customs. Flora Dutra, an activist who helped connect the Marubo to the web, defended the initiative, stating, “The white man thinking they know what’s best is ethnocentrism.
The Marubo tribe now faces the challenge of balancing modern technology’s benefits with preserving their traditional way of life.
As they navigate this new reality, the community must find ways to leverage the internet’s potential without compromising their cultural identity.
