Along the Amazon

This body of work explores the people and communities living along the land bordering the river. The region of the triple border between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru—known as the Amazon Trapezium—offers a unique cultural and environmental landscape. Starting in Leticia, Colombia, we traveled up the river into the rainforest, staying in rural reserves and exploring mainland communities.

The project highlights individuals deeply connected to the Amazon and its traditions. Jackson, a 21-year-old from Iquitos, is empowering indigenous youth by preserving the traditional process of coca leaf cultivation. Through training and ritual, he provides direction and purpose, using cultural heritage to foster positive change and combat rising suicide rates among young people.

Meanwhile, eleven-year-old Rober continues his family's legacy of river navigation alongside his father, Jonny. Together, they transport goods and guide visitors on multi-day journeys along the Amazon. While Jonny values Rober’s education, he also encourages him to learn from travelers and embrace new opportunities, including speaking English—something Jonny never had the chance to do himself.

As we journeyed with Rober and Jonny, they brought us to a remote community that built a riverside reserve where travelers can rest along their journey. The community members rarely leave the reserve and, from a very young age, learn essential survival skills such as hunting, cooking, and utilising natural resources from the river and surrounding land