Secret devices used by missionaries to preach to isolated peoples

Missionary groups are using audio devices in protected territories of the rainforest to evangelise to isolated or recently contacted Indigenous peoples in the Amazon, a joint investigation by the Guardian and Brazilian newspaper O Globo has revealed.

- John Reid and Daniel Biasetto

Solar-powered devices reciting biblical messages in Portuguese and Spanish have appeared among the Korubo people in the Javari valley, the investigation found.

Drones have also been spotted by state agents. The gadgets have raised concerns about illegal missionary activities, despite laws designed to safeguard isolated groups.

This is not thought to be the first recent attempt by missionary groups to reach uncontacted or recently contacted communities in the Javari valley, near the Brazil-Peru border.

Before the pandemic, Americans and Brazilians affiliated to evangelical churches were allegedly reported to be planning to contact the Korubo. It was claimed they used seaplanes to map trails and locate longhouses.

Now missionaries have returned with a new tool. The first device uncovered, a yellow and grey mobile phone-sized unit, appeared in a Korubo village recently.

The gadget, which recites the Bible and inspirational talks by an American Baptist, can do so indefinitely, thanks to a solar panel. As many as seven were reported by local people, but photo and video evidence were obtained for just one.