As a female anthropologist was able to establish contact with the wild tribes
In the past year, the North Sentinelese island (India), the natives shot from a bow to bring him American missionary John Chow. He was obsessed with the idea to convert the natives to Christianity, despite the fact that sentinels is one of the most isolated from the outside world and hostile to it-minded tribes. But one day, 28 years ago, they came woman. And survived.
In 1991, one woman did the impossible: she managed to make contact with the most isolated in the world native tribe — the sentinelese
Madhubala Chattopadhya (Madhumala Chattopadhyay) took the unusual expedition with the sole purpose to communicate with the natives of the island and learn what it means to live the most closed from the outer world of people that are known for their aggressiveness and hostility to outsiders.
In a subsequent interview Madhubala said:
Sentinels inhabit the North Sentinelese island is one of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal
Sentinels are in the Andaman group of indigenous tribes along with the tribes of the Onge, Shompen and Jarawa. Despite the fact that these people live relatively close to each other, their communication with the modern world is uneven. Jarawa known as one of the most civilized tribes of the Andaman, but the sentinelese are the most isolated and most dangerous.
Visit North Sentinelese island is not only dangerous, but also illegal, that is officially prohibited by Indian law
After a number of unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with the tribe, the government of India has decided to leave the sentinelese alone. Besides communicating with the outside world can be disastrous for the island's inhabitants, as their immune system is not familiar with many bacteria.
About a year ago, the sentinels proved once again that it is not ready to welcome the strangers with the joyful shouts coming towards them on the boat (as did a young Christian missionary John Chow). His desire in whatever was to get acquainted with the inhabitants of the island ended tragically.
But again: visits are permitted on the island, John Chow has broken the law. Everyone knows that it is better not to meddle. The natives kill the fishermen, who accidentally nailed the night to the shore. They fire arrows circling over the island helicopters, and even hurl them spear. In short, sentinels are not ready to make friends.
More surprising against the background of recent events is the success of the expedition under the leadership of T. N. Pandit, in which took part Madhubala Chattopadhya, and her incredible achievements.
Even at 12 years of age Madhubala was determined to get acquainted with the Andaman natives. After a brilliant graduation, she began studying anthropology at the University of Calcutta. She thought, not without reason, that anthropology is her "passport to the Onge", one of the indigenous Andaman tribes.
Madhubala is one of the few lucky ones who managed to establish friendly contact with the sentinelese
And how she did it, what's the secret? Coconuts. When the expeditionary boat approached the island, where they were expecting the natives, all the people on the boat began to drop toward the coast coconuts to show that going with the world. The natives grew bolder, approached nearer, and began to pick the coconuts out of the water. Soon Madhubala was also in the water helping to collect coconuts.
It really was a success, which nobody expected. It is believed that the cause was the presence of women. From it certainly didn't pose any threat, so the natives were being friendly. After the first visit Madhubala once again came to the island and again brought coconuts, and she was met with the same enthusiasm — if not more.
Madhubala have visited other Andaman tribes. The close contacts she had with the tribe Jarawa
With this tribe she met in another expedition in 1991. And became the only woman from the outside world ever in a tribe Jarawa. So as not to frighten the natives, Madhubala first remained in the boat, but then she noticed the women of the tribe and began to beckon with shouts of "Milale chera," which means "Friend, come here." They even performed something like a dance, and then they themselves went to Madhumalai and began to examine her hair and skin.
Jarawa — people are very friendly, and the women of the tribe quickly took Madhubala "in the family". And even were allowed to hold small children and care for them. Anthropologist some time lived in this tribe, shared with the natives with food and shelter, and helped them with treatment.
Despite the fact that Madhubala has made incredible strides in establishing contacts with indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands, only a few today know and remember that she is one of the best anthropologists of our time. Now Madhubala working in one of the government ministries in Delhi, doing boring paperwork.
And when we were able to make friends not only with the tribe Jarawa, but even with the sentinels!
Keywords: Aborigines | Anthropology | Insulation | Tribes | Tribe