One love. One tribe. One world. Sadly, that’s not the world we live in. We nurture hatred, we look for ways to divide not unite, but we still have only world. And in this not so ideal world, we struggle to conform, to belong and yet stand out and be unique. In this battle, some tribes have survived and others, obliterated.

Evolution is a constant process. And as we evolve into a supposedly ‘superior’ society, some civilizations are on the precipice of extinction, being pushed over the edge by the illusion of a better life. These are eight such tribes of the world, with access to mobile phones and automatic kalashnikovs, still trying to hold on to a way of life that won’t survive much longer. See them before they disappear…

1. Maasai

Kenya, Tanzania

The original warrior tribe, the Maasai man’s transition from boyhood to warrior is the most important event in his life. Males shave their head before circumcision and women before marriage. Although outlawed recently, female circumcision is still prevalent. In popular culture, the Maasai are known for their jumping dance (Adumu) and their beaded jewelry. Their cattle are their livelihood - raw meat, raw milk and raw blood make a staple diet.

2. Mursi

Ethiopia

One of the more primitive and aggressive tribes, only around 4000 Mursi remain plagued by extreme drought and limited access to resources. Girls start wearing clay plates in their lips at the age of fifteen, the bigger the plate, the more cattle she is worth. Men have horseshoe shaped scars on their left arm, women on their right. In order to marry, a boy must run naked across four cows four times to be eligible.

3. Maori

New Zealand

As a result of centuries of isolation, the Maori established a distinct society with characteristic art, a separate language and unique mythology. They are best known in popular culture for three things - tattoos (represent the social standing of the individual within the tribe), the Haka war dance (chanting, body percussion and aggressive body language famously displayed by the NZ Rugby team before every match), and the Hongi (the traditional greeting that involves pressing noses and foreheads together).

4. Drokpa

Kashmir

Believed to be the descendents of Alexander the Great, the Drokpa indulge in pubic kissing and wife swapping with no inhibitions. But living in a conflict area with pressure from the army and civil administration, they now practice their traditions within their private domains. Culturally, physically and linguistically much different from any other race in the valley, they don’t mingle much with outsiders, in a bid to preserve their ethnicity.

5. Goroka

Papua New Guinea

These guys were only discovered in the beginning of the 20th century, and include over a hundred sub-sects, similar yet different. They all come together for the Goroka Show, started in 1957 and now a major tourist attraction of music, dance and culture. The majority of these groups are still isolated from modern medicine and technology, their exact names and practices are still not well documented.

6. Himba

Namibia

These guys are obsessed with their appearance, and a lot of importance is placed on dressing up. And by dressing up, we don’t mean clothes which are quite scarce; intricate hairstyles and jewelry take the top spot. And their secret formula for glowing skin and hair - Otjize, a paste of goat fat, herbs and red ochre, to be applied first thing every morning.

7. Asaro

Papua New Guinea

Covered in mud, wearing scary masks and brandishing spears, that’s how the Asaro roll. All this, to scare away their enemies. Legend has it that once, they were forced to hide in the Asaro river during battle with an enemy tribe. Hoping to make their getaway after sundown, they emerged from the river covered in mud and  unintentionally scared the enemy, who assumed them to be the spirits of the river. And thus were born, the Asaro mudmen.

8. Kazakh

Mongolia

The famed eagle hunters, riding the finest horses, golden eagles on their arms, fur Loovuuz on their heads; a sight that will enchant  you for a lifetime. A semi-nomadic people who inhabit one of the world’s harshest landscapes, they rely on their domestic animals, horse, camel and fat-tailed sheep, for their livelihood. Beads and talismans are used for protection from evil.

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Shivangi Rajendran

As the newest member of the content team, Shivangi Rajendran comes from the world of professional dancing. With a passion for travel and a flair for writing, the Masters in Mass Communication is just an added advantage. A gypsy at heart, she doesn’t believe in planning and is always ready to pack her bags and leave.

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