Indonesia: West Sumatra — Mentawai Shamans & Minangkabau Culture with Patrick Firouzian – July 2028

This unique trip will be limited to 6 participants. For the days in the jungle, there will be a support team of 15 porters, 3 river boatmen, 2 chefs, 2 fixers, and 1 photography assistant supporting the group.

Join us on a journey and be immersed into worlds few outsiders will ever see. We will cross from the modern bustle of Padang to the deep forests of the Mentawai, where animist shamans still tend to the balance between people, nature, and spirits, and onward to the highlands of the Minangkabau, where a matrilineal Muslim society celebrates its heritage in striking ceremonial dress and the exhilarating spectacle of post-harvest bull races. Every step is designed to place you in the heart of authentic traditions, with the time and access needed to capture images that are both rare and deeply human.

Such encounters do not happen by chance. They are the result of over 15 years of relationship-building with remote communities, local experts in the team, meticulous planning, and an unwavering commitment to respectful, low-impact presence. From securing permission for ceremonies to coordinating transport over sea, river, and jungle, our team will handle the complex logistics so you can focus entirely on your photography and experience. Starlink connectivity, charging stations, and proper sleeping arrangements bring comfort and security into the wild, without breaking the integrity of the environments and cultures we are entering. We bring over 500 kg of equipment and supplies to ensure a proper journey in the jungle, so we do not compromise on comfort and safety.

You will witness moments that few photographers can claim like the Sikerei preparing body paint and headdresses for a night-long ritual, women casting nets into a jungle stream, tattoo sessions, Minangkabau adjusting golden headpieces before a portrait, riders gripping and biting bulls’ tails as they explode through flooded fields. These are not staged performances for tourists, but living traditions unfolding in their own time, shared with us because of long-standing trust and mutual respect.

This was the best trip ever. It was an amazing time with the seldom visited Mentawai tribe who live in the jungle on an island west of Sumatra. The beauty of their culture and the warm hearted welcome we received will stay with me forever. Not only were they welcoming but were more than willing to help us obtain great images. The ceremony at night in their long house is one I will never forget. Although we were well off the beaten path we had a cook preparing great food, a shower and better sanitary facilities than I expected. Not to be forgotten was the day we spent with the Minangkabau models who posed for great images. Last but not least was the unforgettable images of the day at the bull races. Memories to last a lifetime. ~David G.

What an incredible trip! Patrick was a great photography and expedition leader, and I’m glad to have had this experience with him at the helm. He was thoughtful re our comfort, yet kept it authentic and in the true spirit of minimizing our footprint on the people and their Uma. The local partner was clearly a top choice, aligned with us on culture and respect first. The photography opportunities were immense yet authentic, taking place both in the jungle and at the Uma (their home).The Mentawai’s were welcoming as we stayed by their side through the long days and evenings. To top it off, the 3 other photographers on the trip were wonderful people and very good photographers in their own right – considerate, collaborative, and fun! Another day in the highlands of West Sumatra gave a very different, yet still unique flavor to the trip. It is very rare to witness and live by the side of a culture relatively untouched by tourism. It took an incredible amount of logistics for this expedition to be offered and I’m so grateful it was. It has imprinted lasting memories in both my head and heart! ~Karen O.