Ancient Tribes in a Modern World
Submitted by Marie on 30 May, 2008 - 09:54.
I am not talking about the western world and the third world countries. Rather, the uncontacted tribes that still exist to this day who have had no contact or exposure to our modern lifestyle! Apparently, there are more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, most of them located in Brazil and Peru in South America.
A recent news article captured images from the air of one of Brazil's uncontacted Indian tribes who have been spotted in the far western Amazon jungle near the Peruvian border. The photographs showed a group of healthy warriors, six huts and a large planted area. This particular tribe lived in a protected area. However, danger from illegal logging in Peru, is driving these tribes over the border and could lead to conflict with the estimated 500 uncontacted Indians now living on the Brazilian side.
It made me wonder, not only for the potential conflict that may occur if these tribes were forced to live close to each other but also what thoughts they may have about the things that's happening around them?
The idea that we in the modern world have progressed and evolved for sometime now, through better standards of living, education and health. We also have made many discoveries in the areas of science and technology, plus the abundance of information we have access to on a daily basis through the news, television, internet, magazines and books which in turn have shaped the way we see ourselves and the world around us. What about the people that live within these uncontacted tribal communities, how do they see the world around them? What are their thoughts and views?
If we take Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the first basic need that people require is food, water, shelter and clothing. Seeing the primitive way these uncontacted tribes live, it would be fair to say that their daily priorities differ vastly to us who live in the modern and consumer world.
Stories like these help me to take a step back and reflect on my own life. It makes me question, which group of people are less stressed and happiest about their lives, those of us living in the modern world or those living within uncontacted tribal communities? What do you think?
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Hi Marie. Thanks for your thought-provoking article. I'm a Christian missionary. I visit your site whenever I have a chance. You, Simon, and now Louie are in my prayers. "The Mission," which starred Jeremy Irons and Robert DeNiro, is one of my favorite movies. If you haven't seen it, you'll love it. It's based on a true story. I can see you have a heart to serve others. I'm not sure what the end of this story will be, but I like the beginning. God bless you!
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Submitted by JimR (not verified) on 30 May, 2008 - 12:13.I think ancient tribes are more happy, healthy and well-adjusted. No computers, cars, forced drugging of children, internet pornography, alcoholism, suicide, etc., etc. What a lovely way to live! I have a distant cousin who would benefit from this ancient lifestyle. My cousin has been forced by court order into psychiatric drugging and shocking, which of course is damaging his brain. All because he likes to take off his clothes in public. Why don't we just let him live with an ancient tribe? That way he doesn't have to submit to forced drugging and shocking and he'd be so happy to run around in the buff? Personally, I believe forced drugging and shocking of children and adults is a crime against humanity. What do you think?
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Submitted by Esther on 23 March, 2009 - 14:47.Here's something for you to chew on, Marie:
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
That's Romans 12:2 in the New Living Translation. You've gotten my day off to a marvelous start! Thanks!
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Submitted by JimR (not verified) on 30 May, 2008 - 12:54.Hello JimR,
Thank you for quoting Roman 12:2 in the NLT. I have a question for you: How can people who are being forced into involuntary drugging and shocking of their brains be "transformed by the renewing of their minds?" Millions of school children are being forced to take a mind-altering drug called Ritalin and other mind-altering drugs(anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers,anti-depressants)in order to subdue them. These drugs are turning these children into zombies, to quote a friend of mine who is a school teacher. And how about all the teenagers,adults, and elderly who are being forced into drugging and shocking of their brains by psychiatric assault? Don't they have the right to live free of brain-damaging psychiatric "treatment" so they can have their minds renewed by the Holy Spirit?
What would Jesus do, JimR?
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Submitted by Esther on 23 March, 2009 - 14:57.Simple life is the best life!? I believe in that!
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Submitted by MarketingDeviant (not verified) on 30 May, 2008 - 19:15.That was a marvelous, interesting and informative aritcle. Thank youl
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Submitted by mommyandme (not verified) on 30 May, 2008 - 20:52.@JimR - Glad to hear that this post helped to brighten your day :)
I have seen the movie "The Mission" and it is indeed very thought provoking. I think the majority of people tend to make decisions and act on them with the best of intentions. It is only with hindsight that one can clearly see that things should have been left as they were or an alternative action should have perhaps been taken. But life is a learning experience each and everyday.
@MarketingDeviant - Yes a simple life is probably the best. However, it also depends on an individual's life journey as to whether they are ready for the simple life. We humans are curious by nature and it is only when one has reached that stage in life (and of your own choosing) will the simple life work for you.
@MommyandMe - I'm glad to hear that you found this post informative and interesting, because I certainly did as well. I was amazed that these uncontacted tribes live in an environment that is now so foreign to most of us. Likewise, they too would find our modern world very foreign and scary if they were thrust into it!
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Submitted by Marie on 31 May, 2008 - 08:47.This article reminds me of a tv show which is shown on the TV in The Netherlands.
The tv show called "Groeten uit de Rimboe" (meaning: Greetings from the Rimboe) brings two Dutch and one Belgium family to a tribe for from the modern live and the families have to live about three weeks with the tribe. Meaning: searching for food, seeing and participating in there standards etc. I've seen it a couple of times but I don't think that I ever want to live like they do, I love my life as it is now! ;)
I don't know about you or about other people, but I don't have a stressful live. Sure they are moments which drives you insane or problems in your life but then again it's a challenge to solve the problems.. Isn't it?
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Submitted by Behrad (not verified) on 31 May, 2008 - 13:28.@BioTeck - It's good to know that you live a stress free life, you are definitely very fortunate :)
It is certainly a challenge to overcome the hurdles that life throws our way and when you get past it, you do become much stronger.
These uncontacted tribes in the article have never had contact with the modern world at all and the last time I heard the Brazilian foundation (that study these uncontacted tribes) do not plan to fly over the area where they have been spotted, so that they do not interfere with their unique and primitive existence.
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Submitted by Marie on 2 June, 2008 - 12:32.This story is quite mind boggling. I could well imagine that for these tribes people seeing a plane fly overhead must be similar to urban myths and ufo sightings. We often ask oursleves "How could it be possible that there are other intelligent life forms out there, on other planets ? But you just have to see these photos to make you realize that it's all a matter of relativity or scale. For these people - yes we are from another planet. We are aliens that have come to invade and perhaps destroy their way of life. It makes you wonder if there are not other groups of people here on earth that are superior in many ways to our "urban" way of life..... Is that what all those ufo sitings are ? Other superior earthlings ? Living hidden here on earth ?
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Submitted by Offgrid (not verified) on 3 June, 2008 - 14:27.@Offgrid - You make a really good point. For these uncontacted tribes, they probably see the planes flying overhead to be very alien to them. The images that were shown on the news apparently indicated that the uncontacted tribe was not happy with the plane/helicopter that they saw and started to throw spears at it, a clear message to say do not come here and leave us alone!
The concept of higher beings here on earth - I guess time will tell. Thanks for your introspective feedback :)
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Submitted by Marie on 4 June, 2008 - 09:11.