The Juma people, a patriarchal society, were destined for extinction after the last man died of Covid, but three sisters took charge, with one becoming the region's first female chief. “Because we were few, people didn’t recognize us, didn’t respect us,” she said. “There had never been a woman leader before, and then people came to tell me, ‘You shouldn’t have assumed it because you’re a woman.’” At first, that hurt, she said. Then she stopped caring. “I adapted to seek solutions for our people,” she said. Against long odds, the Juma are making a comeback. However, they remain concerned about preserving their territory against land-grabbing and illegal deforestation, and passing down traditions to the next generations. Read more at the link in bio. 📷️ Andre Penner / @apnews