Remote Jungle Tribe Meets the Modern World
May 15, 2006 — -- For thousands of years they have lead a nomadic existence roaming the jungles of southeastern Colombia -- hunting monkeys with blowguns and gathering berries.
In March there was a remarkable meeting of the millenniums. For reasons that remain a mystery, 80 members of the remote Nukak-Maku tribe wandered out of their Amazon jungle home and into the 21st century.
"In the deep forest there are very few indications of whether you're in Colombia or Brazil, and these titles have very little meaning," said Janet Chernela, an anthropologist at the University of Maryland.
According to researchers, the tribespeople have no concept of money, modern medicine, government, or even how planes fly. According to a report in The New York Times, they asked whether planes traveled on a highway in the sky.
It is not clear what motivated the group to seek out civilization, but members reportedly said "the green Nukak" had told them where to go -- a possible reference to guerrilla soldiers in the area.
"The Maku have found themselves at the crossfires of paramilitary [and] the Colombian army themselves, and they are really at a loss for where to go," Chernela said.
According to the Times, the tribe is enjoying its first experiences of the modern world. Accustomed to long treks to hunt for food, they are amazed when food is brought by townspeople offering to help them. They are fascinated with the simple conveniences such as pants, shoes and skillets.
They have not entirely given up their ancient way of life, however. Tribespeople say they will work to preserve their language, and men from the group still go into the jungle searching for monkeys, a tribal delicacy.
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