THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF LATIN AMERICA

In the last fifteen years, I have travelled across Latin America, solo with my backpack and camera, in order to photograph its diverse scenery and people. The continent truly struck me by its intense beauty and the colourful traditions of its indigenous people from whom I learned so much.

From the bright-coloured village markets of Guatemala to the breathtaking mountains of Santa Marta in Colombia and from the magnificent Peruvian Amazon to the spectacular altiplano of Bolivia, I immersed myself for weeks with the local indigenous communities by fully embracing their culture.

In Guatemala, I documented the awesome Mayan traditions passed on from generation to generation by female weavers who have defended their art for years, pushing for new legislation to recognise and protect their collective cultural property.

I then flew to northern Colombia and I went to meet the mystic and very secret Kogi community, shared their daily routine and their passion for Mother Nature. Each day spent with the Kogi people was one of discovery. Their knowledge of various medicinal plants and their philosophy of life- in that they remain true to their ancient laws ruled by nature - made me realize the importance of their traditions in the preservation of our world ecosystem.

In the Peruvian Amazon I met the Yagua and Shipibo communities. Passionate and vocal defenders of the precious rainforest which they call the ‘heart of the world’, men still dutifully fish and hunt in the old traditions whilst women produce some of the most beautiful handicrafts of the Peruvian jungle.

After landing in Bolivia, one of the highest countries in the world in altitude, I came across and was inspired by the Cholitas. Strong-minded Bolivian women, they are still deeply rooted in the Aymara and Quechua culture. They trade daily on the streets and are fierce enterprising women.

With this short photographic series of portraits I produced for Wempower, I invite you to travel with me to meet those awesome local communities in Latin America! Swipe and click on each image to locate it. Bon voyage and happy International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples!

• Chief of the Yagua tribe, Peruvian Amazon.

• Old Maya lady. She peculiarly had her hair cut possibly to sell it. Village of Chichicastenango, Guatemala.

• Women from the Shipibo community, Peruvian Amazon.

• Kogi children, Sierra Nevada mountain in Santa Marta, Colombia.

• Mother and baby, Antigua, Guatemala.

• Old lady from the Yagua tribe, Peruvian Amazon.

• Old Cholita lady, La Paz, Bolivia.

• Young traditional woman from the Yagua tribe, Peruvian Amazon.

• Female street trader, La Paz, Bolivia.

• Kogi children, Sierra Nevada mountain in Santa Marta, Colombia.

• Traditional Cholita woman, La Paz, Bolivia.

• Mother and daughter from the Yagua tribe. Traditionally, females are often bare breast in their community near the Momon River in the Peruvian Amazon.

• Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala.