The Sentinelese - Demystified!

Sentinelese are a group of indigenous tribe, inhabiting in North Sentinel Island of Bay of Bengal, India.
Designated as Scheduled Tribe, they are isolated from outside contact for thousands of years.
Thus labelled as one of the most mysterious communities of the World.

Overview of Sentinels

Size
The group size of the tribe is still uncertain, with estimates ranging 15 to 500 individuals.
Although, Census of India 2011 recorded 12 Males and 3 Females.

Occupation
They are mostly hunter-gatherers, using bow and arrows.
It appears that Metalworking, Agriculture and even using Fire are unknown to them.

Language
The tribes speak their indigenous unclassified language called Sentinelese.

Appearance
 The Sentinelese are considered to be Negrito.
They are shorter than average human, most likely due to Insular Dwarfism.

Contact

Several attempts to entice contact with the Sentinels have literally failed.
In 13th Century, Marco Polo described the tribes as "the most violent and cruel generation"

In 1967, T.N.Pandit, An Anthropologist of Anthropological Society of India attempted an expedition to the North Sentinel Island, to befriend Sentinelese. But it was deliberately foiled by the native tribes.

In 1991, The Sentinelese offered to meet the expeditors, strictly on their terms, to approach them in the ocean, though restricting entry into their territory. They were provided coconuts and other tools as gifts. The community seemed preoccupied with the alien resources yet an unwelcoming gesture prevailed all throughout the gathering.

A Significant Hostility

The rationality behind their hostility may include;
1. Their Fear of Alien Encroachment into their Territory.
2. Threat of Communicable Diseases transmission through outsiders. As they have No Immunity even to common illness such as Flu and Measles.

The Tribal Acts

According to Andaman and Nicobar Islands ( Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956
The entire 59.67 square.km of North Sentinel Island, including the 5 km coastal area has been declared as The Tribal Reserve Area.
Even Fishing is prohibited in this zone.

Any expeditious entry require permission under Restricted Area Permit Regime notified in Foreigners (Restricted Area) Order, 1963

In addition to that, approvals from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and from Local Foreigners Registration Office are mandatory.

However, Ministry of Home Affairs excluded 32 Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Restricted Area Permit regime; including the North Sentinel Island.

Upshot of The Tribal Law Dilution

The dilution of Foreigners Order 1956 Restricted Area Permit Act, to promote Tourism and to encourage Investment, deliberately invited illegal ingression of foreigners which was clearly unappreciated by the Sentinels.

The definite conclusive lesson learnt from the American Missionary's demise in North Sentinel Island clearly depicts We are the Aggressors and We are totally Uninvited to their territory for any encroachment, investment or propagation.

Let’s vow to abide by the Nomads' Wish and Leave the Sentinelese Alone, Unscathed and Unearthed!!