Image: NYTimes
The Starlink satellite internet system, developed by SpaceX, has brought high-speed internet to the Marubo indigenous people in the Amazontransforming their daily lives and generating a deep debate about the impact of connectivity on their ancestral culture.
Starlink and a milestone in the Amazon
This connection, which at first glance seems like a positive technological advance, has opened a window to the outside world for the Marubo, but it has also brought with it a series of challenges and dilemmas that are beginning to change the dynamics of this isolated community.
Since September, the Marubo, who for centuries have lived in isolation, now have access to the internet thanks to Starlink antennas. This connection has brought immediate benefits that have improved crucial aspects of their daily lives. The ability to communicate with distant relatives through video chats and make calls for help in medical emergencies are some of the clear benefits they have experienced.
However, along with these advantages have also come modern problems that were unknown to them, such as excessive use of social networks, addiction to video games and exposure to inappropriate content.
The internet has significantly modified the daily routine of the Marubo community, a people accustomed to a way of life in complete harmony with nature. Now, young people spend a lot of time browsing their phones, which has led to a disinterest in traditional activities.
Tsainama Marubo, a 73-year-old woman comments with concern:
Young people have become lazy because of the internet.
The young Marubo, who used to spend time making dyes and jewelry, now prefer to be online, losing interest in the activities that once brought the community together. Despite these concerns, Tsainama recognizes the importance of the new technology, noting that the benefits are evident, especially in emergency situations and for maintaining contact with loved ones.
For some community leaders, like Enoque Marubo, the internet represents a powerful tool for the autonomy and development of their people.. Enoque, who has spent part of his life outside the jungle working in the city, sees connectivity as an opportunity for the Marubo to improve their communications and become better informed.
The possibility of better coordinating in emergencies and sharing educational lessons through digital platforms has been one of the great benefits that stands out. However, this new era of connectivity is not without challenges.
Other leaders, like Alfredo Marubo, are deeply concerned about the loss of traditions and the inappropriate behavior that some young people have adopted after exposure to online content. Alfredo fears that the oral transmission of Marubo history and culture is threatened by the omnipresence of digital devices, and warns about the risk that ancestral values and customs will be diluted amid external influence.
Connectivity presents challenges
The arrival of Starlink has generated a deep debate in the Marubo community about how to balance modernity with their ancestral customs.
Activist Flora Dutra, along with other collaborators, plans to extend connectivity to more indigenous communities in the Amazon, despite growing concerns about the long-term effects of this technology. The need for training and regulation of Internet use is evident to ensure that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
While some see this technology as a way to empower indigenous communities, others fear that the change will be too rapid and without adequate preparation, which could lead to the loss of cultural identity and new internal conflicts.
The introduction of the internet in the Amazon by Starlink has been a significant change for the Marubo, who now face the challenge of integrating this new tool into their daily lives without losing their cultural identity. The community continues to adapt, recognizing both the benefits and challenges that connectivity brings.
The question now is how the Marubo will be able to find a balance between taking advantage of the advantages of modernity and keeping their ancestral traditions intact.in a world that is moving ever faster towards a digital future.
