Located in the middle Indian Ocean and in the Andaman Sea lies the most dangerous island in the world: North Guardian. With an area of only 59.67 km² and a width of about 8 km, this region is part of the Andaman Islands, from where several tourists want to know about it. However, this possibility is almost immediately dismissed as its residents threaten to take the life of anyone who tries.
In this regard, in 2018, the young American John Allen Chau He was murdered with arrows while trying to evangelize the island's inhabitants with Catholicism. According to North American authorities, his body could not be recovered. What is known about this dangerous and remote place?
John Allen Chau died attempting to enter North Sentinel Island. Photo: El Pais
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What is North Sentinel Island like?
Due to the danger of approaching North Sentinel Island, the information known about it is limited but interesting. This area belongs to India and for security reasons, it is currently forbidden to have any kind of contact with the tribe as per Indian government regulations. These sanctions also include taking photographs of any kind.
On the other hand, it is estimated that it has been inhabited for 60,000 years, but currently around 80 to 200 people live there. The residents still hunt with spears and use home-made harpoons. Likewise, their language has not been examined for interpretation.
The residents of North Sentinel Island make their own weapons, such as spears. Photo: The Indian coastal guar
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There are two theories as to the reason for their isolation: the first is that a group of British settlers kidnapped some of them in 1880; Because of this, they have since decided to isolate themselves. The second hypothesis is that they are trying to distance themselves from illness. In fact, a 2004 study published by the journal Science on another Andamanese tribe, the Jarawa, suggests that they had low genetic variability.
The only contact with North Sentinel Island
The only documented and successful contact with the residents of North Sentinel Island is that of the Hindu anthropologist Triloknath Pandit, when he approached the tribe in 1991 after years of trying. In an interview with the BBC, he said that they brought them coconuts from their boat as a sign of friendship.
“We were amazed at what they allowed us to do. It was his choice to meet with us and the meeting was on his own terms. We jumped off the boat, stood up to our necks in water and handed out coconuts and other gifts. But we weren’t allowed to go any further,” he said.
Triloknath Pandit, an Indian anthropologist, made contact with the North Sentinel tribe. Photo: Clarin
However, this didn't last long as a young man from the tribe threatened the researcher. This put an end to expeditions to this region and marked the beginning of an entry ban.
Nevertheless, Pandit pointed out that he did not consider the Sentinelese to be an “enemy” people because of their behavior. “It is wrong to look at them. We are the aggressors. We are the ones trying to invade their territory. “We must respect their wishes and leave them alone,” he explained.