Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project © Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project © Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project View all images ↓
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Captured in 2025, this intimate series documents the Sikerei clan of Siberut. It explores the lives of Aman Java and his kin, their sacred tattoos, animist rituals, and their deep spiritual bond with the Indonesian rainforest.

  • Deep within the rainforests of Siberut Island, Indonesia, the Mentawai people have lived in harmony with the jungle for over 2,000 years. Their lives are guided by Arat Sabulungan—an ancient animist belief system teaching that every river, tree, and stone possesses a spirit. From the sago palm to the gibbon in the canopy, all life is interconnected. However, modernization and external pressures now threaten to silence this delicate spiritual ecosystem.

  • This series, "Guardians of the Green Soul," documents the daily lives and rituals of a single clan of Sikerei (Shamans), the spiritual intermediaries of the tribe. The narrative centers on Aman Java, the wise elder and keeper of tribal history; Aman Takarajo, the strong provider; and Aman Lari, the veteran hunter. Through their eyes, we witness the visible manifestations of their invisible faith.

  • The images explore the intricate Titi (tattoos) that adorn their bodies—lines and curves tapped into the skin with thorn and charcoal. These are not merely decorations but "eternal clothes" that map their status and ensure their ancestors will recognize their souls in the afterlife. The project captures intimate moments inside the Uma (clan longhouse), from the intensity of the hunt to the quiet camaraderie of a game of dominoes.

  • A central theme is the symbiotic relationship between the Shaman and the wild. Whether harvesting medicinal herbs or tracking prey in the canopy, the Sikerei do not fight the jungle; they move with it. In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, this series is a testament to a human alternative—a way of life that values spiritual balance over extraction, inviting the viewer to see the divine in every leaf before the forest clears.

This project is a candidate for PhMuseum 2026 Photography Grant

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© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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Welcome to SiberutAn aerial view of the meandering rivers of Siberut Island, Indonesia. This dense rainforest is the ancestral home of the Mentawai people, whose animist culture, Arat Sabulungan, teaches that every river and tree possesses a spirit.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Lineage.Three generations of Sikerei (Shamans) stand united near a sacred waterfall. From left to right: Aman Takarajo, the young provider; Aman Java (center), the wise elder; and Aman Lari, the veteran hunter. They are the guardians of their clan’s survival.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Wisdom of Aman Java.Aman Java, the eldest Shaman, rests on a moss-covered rock. His body is a living archive of Mentawai history, adorned with Titi (tattoos) received over decades. He holds the tools of the jungle, symbolizing his role as protector.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Veteran.Aman Lari stands in the dense undergrowth. As a senior hunter, he wears the Luat (beaded headband) and Kabit (bark loincloth), traditional attire that connects him to the spirits of the forest during the hunt.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Provider.Aman Takarajo sits in quiet contemplation. As the strongest of the group, the burden of provision falls on him. The red hibiscus flower in his headband is a signal of beauty and respect to the spirits he will encounter.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Gaze of Aman Tiru.A portrait of Aman Tiru. His chest displays the "Tree of Life" tattoo pattern, mimicking the sago palm. These permanent markings ensure his ancestors will recognize his soul in the afterlife.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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Council at the Water.Aman Lari (standing) and Aman Takarajo (sitting) discuss the day's path. The waterfall is considered a potent source of energy; Shamans often consult the signs of nature here before a hunt to ensure the spirits are pleased.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Hunter's Burden.Aman Lari prepares for the journey, carrying poisoned arrows in a bamboo quiver. The poison is derived from a local tree mixture, potent enough to bring down a wild boar.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Eternal Clothes.A detail of the tattoos on Aman Lari's legs. Tapped into the skin with a needle and charcoal soot, these lines are a painful rite of passage for every Mentawai man.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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Hands of the Healer.The weathered hands of the Shaman, adorned with beaded bracelets. These hands have cured the sick, delivered babies, and prepared deadly poison—a duality of life and death.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Web.A close-up of the hand tattoo showing a web-like pattern. This design is believed to give the hunter the dexterity of a spider or crab, essential for navigating the tangled rainforest floor.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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Into the Green.Aman Lari disappears into the foliage. The Mentawai move with the jungle, not against it. His tattooed body acts as natural camouflage, allowing him to stalk prey unseen.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Silent Signal.Aman Lari and Aman Java communicate without words, using gestures or mimicking bird calls to coordinate their movements while tracking monkeys in the canopy.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Stalk.Aman Lari moves with intense focus. Hunting is a necessity here, not a sport. Every kill is followed by a ritual apology to the animal's spirit for the sacrifice.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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Scanning the CanopyAman Lari and Aman Java move into a clearing to get a better vantage point. They scan the high branches from the open ground, looking for silhouettes against the sky, as their prey often perches on the highest limbs to sun themselves.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Elder's Eye.It is Aman Java, the elder shaman, who spots the movement first. He silently points out the location to Aman Lari, directing the younger hunter's aim toward the specific branch where the prey is hiding.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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Target Confirmed.A knowing smile breaks across Aman Lari’s face as he spots the animal. The target is locked. His expression captures the moment of certainty and the shared satisfaction between the two men before the arrow is released.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Game of Strategy.Back in the safety of the Uma, Aman Tiru (left) and Aman Lari (right) are deep into a game of dominoes. Their gaze is intense and focused, calculating their next play with the same seriousness they apply to the hunt.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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Laughter in the Longhouse.The tension breaks into pure joy as they laugh at Aman Lari, who has just made a wrong move. This candid moment reveals the lighter side of Shaman life—showing that amidst their spiritual duties and survival, there is deep friendship and fun.

© Shanish Mishra - Image from the Guardians of the Green Soul: The Last Sikerei of Siberut photography project
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The Colors of Siberut.A breathtaking view of the landscape where the Mentawai live. Here, nature paints the sky with intensity—every morning and evening displays the full spectrum of colors (VIBGYOR), reflecting the vibrant and raw beauty of their isolated paradise.