Photographer Jimmy Nelson traveled the world to document the cultures of indigenous tribes at risk of disappearing. It took him over four years to complete his project and the result is the brilliant book “Before They Pass Away.”
The book contains visually striking documentation that aims to “celebrate the beauty of these cultures and their traditional ways of life.” Here are some of the photos of indigenous tribes he captured beautifully. Enjoy!
1. Asaro, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
2. Kazakh, Mongolia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
3. Huli, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
4. Kalam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
5. Goroka, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
6. Chukchi, Russia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
7. Maori, New Zealand
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
8. Gauchos, Argentina
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
9. Tsaatan, Mongolia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
10. Samburu, Kenya
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
11. Rabari, India
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
12. Mursi, Ethiopia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
13. Ladakhi, India
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
14. Vanuatu, Vanuatu Islands
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
15. Drokpa, India
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
16. Dassanech, Ethiopia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
17. Karo, Ethiopia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
18. Banna, Ethiopia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
19. Dani, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
20. Maasai, Tanzania
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
21. Nenets, Russia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
22. Himba, Namibia
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
The photographer Jimmy Nelson at work.
Jimmy Nelson / Before They Pass Away
Watch the video.
(Credit: Jimmy Nelson)
To learn more about Jimmy Nelson’s photo compilation, you can check out his book “Before They Pass Away,” which contains the complete collection of images from his journey.