Lesson made on April 7, 2025
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Reading Lesson:
A 24-year-old man from the US was arrested after going to North Sentinel Island, which is a protected area in the Indian Ocean. This island is home to a tribe who have lived there for thousands of years. They do not want contact with the outside world and shoot arrows at strangers to kill them. The Indian government has made it illegal for anyone to go within five kilometers of the island to protect the tribe.
The American man used a boat to get close to the island and blew a whistle to try to get the tribe’s attention. He went on the island for about five minutes, left a coconut and a can of Coca-Cola, and recorded a video.
This visit was very dangerous. The tribe have no protection from common diseases like measles or the flu, so even a short visit from an outsider could cause many deaths. Influencers using social media to get attention could put the lives of the people in great danger.
The people on the island live in small groups and survive by hunting and gathering food. Experts believe there are maybe 200 of them, but no one knows for sure because they avoid contact.
This isn’t the first time someone has tried to meet the tribe. In 2018, an American man came to the island to spread Christianity. He paid a fisherman to take him there. He was killed by the tribe after he tried to land on the island.
Comprehension Quiz:
Speaking and Writing Activities:
– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.
– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.
1. How do you think the Sentinelese tribe feels when they see strangers approaching their island?
2. Do you think isolated tribes like the Sentinelese should be left alone forever? Explain your answer.
3. Could you survive on an island like the Sentinelese? What skills would you need?
More Reading Practice:
The Sentinelese people
The Sentinelese are the most isolated tribe in the world. They live on North Sentinel Island, a small island covered in trees. They have never wanted contact with outsiders. When strangers come near, the Sentinelese use bows and arrows to warn them away.
The Indian government says no one can go near the island. This law protects the tribe because they are not used to outside illnesses. Even a small sickness could hurt them badly.
They live by hunting, fishing, and gathering food from the forest. No one knows exactly how many Sentinelese there are—maybe between 50 and 200 people.
In 2018, an American man broke the law and went to the island. The Sentinelese killed him. This shows why people must leave them alone.
Unlike other tribes, the Sentinelese have never traded with outsiders or accepted help. They want to live as they always have. Scientists say we must respect their choice.
Their way of life teaches us about how people lived long ago. But because they are so separate, they are also very vulnerable. The best way to protect them is to stay away.
Other isolated Indigenous groups
The Ayoreo people live in the remote forests between Paraguay and Bolivia. Some Ayoreo groups have never contacted the outside world. They are nomadic hunters who move through the dry forests, surviving on wild plants and animals. When outsiders try to approach them, they often hide or attack them. Their land is threatened by deforestation from cattle ranching and agriculture.
In the Amazon rainforest, there are several uncontacted tribes, mostly in Brazil and Peru. These groups live deep in the jungle, far from towns and roads. They make their homes from palm leaves, hunt with bows and arrows, and avoid outsiders because of past violence and diseases. The Brazilian government tries to protect their land, but illegal loggers and miners sometimes invade their territory.
The Dani people live in the highlands of Papua, Indonesia. While some Dani have contact with the modern world, others remain very isolated. They are known for their traditional dress, including unique body decorations and jewelry. Their way of life is threatened by mining and road construction.
The Nenets are Indigenous reindeer herders in northern Russia. They migrate across the Arctic tundra with their animals, living in tents made of reindeer skins. Climate change and oil drilling are making their traditional life harder. Some Nenets still avoid towns and prefer their nomadic lifestyle.
These groups, like the Sentinelese, show how some people choose to live apart from modern society. Their survival depends on protecting their land and respecting their choice to remain isolated. Governments and activists work to keep outsiders away, but illegal activities and development often put them in danger. Their cultures are unique and valuable, but also very fragile.
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