Would you believe me if I told you that mysterious tribes in the world are still living the hunter-gatherer lifestyle like in the old days?
You better believe it because certain regions in the world have small populations that are entirely cut off from the world!
Many of these tribes have remained faithful to their origins while other populations have changed over time.
They have maintained their customs, dress code, and traditions for perhaps thousands of years.
These tribes can be difficult to locate however they exist in regions such as deep inside the Amazon, the mountains of New Guinea, the islands of India, and even in the Congo.
Today, we investigate these tribes and their traditions, rituals, and cultural narratives. Let’s begin our journey.
Once you’re done reading this, check out the top 10 mysterious places in the world.
10 Mysterious Tribes
- Sentinelese (Andaman Islands, India)
- Matsés (Peru and Brazil)
- Huli Wigmen (Papua New Guinea)
- Korowai (Indonesia)
- The Surma Tribe (Ethiopia)
- Yanomami (Brazil)
- Maasai (Kenya and Tanzania)
- Himba (Namibia)
- Sámi (Northern Europe)
- The Dani (Indonesia)
1. Sentinelese
Location: Andaman Islands, India
One of the most remote tribes in the world is the Sentinelese, who live on North Sentinel Island in the Andaman Islands, India.
They’re particularly touchy about their independence and have had little interaction with the outside world.
The majority of the information we have about the Sentinelese comes from seeing them from boats anchored far away from the island shore.
There have been a few brief instances when they allowed the authorities to approach them close enough to collect some coconuts.
Noone’s quite sure what they even call themselves! In 2018, the Sentinelese reportedly killed a US man by firing arrows at him.
The family forgave the tribe and you can read more about it in this article by BBC.
2. Matsés
Location: Peru and Brazil
The Matsés tribe lives in secret in the vast Amazon rainforest between Peru and Brazil.
They have little to no interaction with the outside world and have a distinct language structure with an in-depth understanding of the forest.
Due to the distinctive “whiskers” and facial tattoos, the Matsés people are referred to as the “cat people”.
Currently, in the Yavar Valley of Peru and Brazil, there are roughly 2200 Matsés, with the majority living in Peru.
The Matsés speak a Panoan language that is closely related to the dialects spoken by the Matis and Korubo Indians.
More on their intriguing life can be read here.
3. Huli Wigmen
Location: Papua New Guinea
Huli Wigmen is a proud tribe found in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
These are people who believe they descended from one guy by the name of ‘Huli’, a skilled farmer who gave them the fertile, rich land that they inhabit.
The stunning wigs created from their hair are the most well-known characteristic of the Huli Wigmen.
This tribe has a vibrant culture built around conflict and elaborate rituals.
Read this article on the Huli Wigmen to learn more about their customs.
4. Korowai
Location: Indonesia
The Korowai tribe of Southeast Papua in Indonesia is unique because of its distinctive treehouse-like houses that rise above the forest floor.
This tribe was discovered over 35 years ago and over 3000 people are part of this tribe.
Rumah Tinggi is the name of the tree house where this remote tribe resides. Some residences are said to rise 50 meters above the ground.
Learn more about the Korowai tribe here.
5. The Surma Tribe
Location: Ethiopia
The Surma tribe, which is found in southwest Ethiopia, is known for its intriguing body art customs and rich cultural legacy.
The “Donga” (their traditional stick fighting) is an important rite of passage for males.
Agriculture and livestock herding are the cornerstones of the Suri people’s economy. The main source of their wealth is their herd of cattle and goats.
Read more about the culture of the Surma tribe in this article.
6. Yanomami
Location: Brazil and Venezuala
The Yanomami are one of the biggest secluded tribes that inhabit the highlands and rainforests of northern Brazil and southern Venezuela.
They have a strong spiritual bond with nature and live in communal homes known as “Shabonos.”
Early in the twenty-first century, there were perhaps 32,000 or so Yanomami that were counted.
Dive deeper into their world here.
7. Maasai
Location: Kenya and Tanzania
In Kenya and Tanzania, you can find the Maasai tribe of East Africa.
Their colorful future, unique traditions, and fancy attire make them one of the most mysterious of all existing tribes in the world.
You can learn more about their history and language in this article.
8. Himba
Location: Namibia
The Himba tribe of Namibia stands out because of their distinctive appearance.
Women apply “otjize,” a butterfat and ochre mixture that gives their complexion an amazing scarlet glow.
Discover more about the Himba tribe on Wikipedia.
9. Sámi
Location: Northern Europe
Meet the only indigenous tribe of Scandinavia, the ‘Sámi’ tribe.
They stand out because of their unique culture and habits that would seem odd to many of us today.
Their semi-nomadic reindeer herding lifestyle is what defines them the best.
Learn more about the Sámi people here.
10. The Dani
Location: Indonesia
The Dani people of the Baliem Valley in Papua, Indonesia practice intricate ceremonies and have bloody battles.
They inhabit circular homes and their discovery took place in the 20th century.
Find out more about them here.
Conclusion: Top 10 Mysterious Tribes
That concludes our list of the top 10 mysterious tribes in the world! If you enjoyed reading this, check out the top 10 mysterious pyramids in the world.
To conclude, these tribes are a part of our world’s priceless legacy.
Despite industrialization, some tribes have managed to maintain their distinctive cultural traditions.
They provide insights into human resiliency and adaptability. They also show the variety of human cultures as a window into our past.
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