Amidst this deeply interconnected modern world lies various pockets where people voluntarily dissociate themselves from all that is modern. These are the hidden tribes who live their lives on their own and far away from mainstream society and choose to live that way. As cohabitors of this land, it is essential that we respect that. Read on to learn more about a variety of such tribes. By Quoyina Ghosh
1. Sentinelese
The Sentinelese are known to live on the Andaman Islands, off India, and can easily be called the ‘world’s most isolated tribe’. Not much is known about these people as efforts to contact them are usually met with fierce responses with spears and arrows. Moreover, dearth of contact with the outside world has left them without immunity against a variety of diseases, which is why it is rightfully concluded that they are indeed better-off away from mainstream society.
2. Biami Tribe
The Biami people of Papua New Guinea are one of the tribes who’ve managed to remain comparatively hidden. This is due to the Indonesian government who have done a really good job of keeping a lot of their lands away from everyone’s touch. This step has resulted in the protection of not just Biami people but various other tribes in the area as well. Fun fact, up until a few years ago, the Biami would indulge in cannibalism. Suddenly the Indonesian government seems to have done you a solid, eh?
3. Ayoreo Tribe
Known to be nomadic hunter-gatherers, this tribe was contacted by various missionaries back in the day. This exposure led them to various diseases which were fatal to them. Amidst the people of this tribe, one group voluntarily keeps in contact with modern society and one strictly does not, namely, the Ayoreo Totobiegosode. With illegal deforestation, oil search, missionaries, etc., these modern times see them under considerable threat.
4. Piripkura Tribe
The Mato Grosso region of Brazil houses in it this extremely endangered tribe — Piripkura. ‘Piripkura’ translates to ‘the butterfly people’ — a name they were given by their neighbouring tribes due to their propensity to move about in the forest. Or at least they used to until illegal deforestation encroached upon them to the extent of massacres. With only two known members known to us today, this whole tribe is at risk of complete annihilation if serious steps aren’t taken to protect them.
5. Korubo Tribe
The Korubo tribe are located in the valley of Javari in the Brazil-Peru border area. Their name stands for ‘clubmen’ arising from the large clubs they are known to carry to protect themselves with. Contact with outsiders is strictly condemned and avoided by them due to the fact that years of isolation has resulted in the lack of an immune system to protect themselves from diseases as common to us as a cold. Moreover, why would anyone willingly want to be clubbed?
Related: Myoko Festival 2019: How The Apatani Tribe Of Arunachal Pradesh Celebrates It
