Tribe shoots arrows at aid flight

[ShyShy]

By Jonathan Charles
BBC News, Andaman Islands

An Indian helicopter dropping food and water over the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been attacked by tribesmen using bows and arrows.

There were fears that the endangered tribal groups had been wiped out when massive waves struck their islands.

But the authorities say the attack is a sign that they have survived.

More than 6,000 people there are confirmed as either dead or missing, but thousands of others are still unaccounted for.

The Indian coastguard helicopter was flying low over Sentinel Island to drop aid when it came under attack.

Dozens of tribesmen fired bows and arrows at the helicopter, a traditional warning that outsiders aren't welcome.

A senior police officer said the crew weren't hurt and the authorities are taking it as a sign that the tribes haven't been wiped out by the earthquake and sea surges as many had feared.

The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is home to several primitive tribes, some so isolated that they are still stuck in the stone age.

Officials believe they survived the devastation by using age-old early warning systems.

They might have run to high ground for safety after noticing changes in the behaviour of birds and marine wildlife.

Scientists are examining the possibility to see whether it can be used to predict earth tremors in future.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4144405.stm

Sounds like the tribes may be doing just fine

[ertmann|CPH]

cool

[Mattress]

hahaha, that's great

[MegaRock]

Get out, take their pictures and tell them YOU HAVE THEIR SOULS MUAHAHA...

Oh, gee...sorry about that. Too many late night movies. Guess we don't need to drop them any food.

[xzxzzx]

Dozens of tribesmen fired bows and arrows at the helicopter, a traditional warning that outsiders aren't welcome.

Yeah, I would figure that shooting an arrow at me would indicate a certain unfriendliness.

[Starbucks]

I don't want to make fun of those tribe members there but this is kinda funny. Attacking a chopper with bows and arrows.

[shakey_snake]

Reminds me of "Apocalypse Now"

[mikm]

Except somebody got hurt.

[Wolfgang]

It is pretty funny, but the whole thing about worries about whether they were wiped out or not sounds like they are treated like a curiosity rather than a society of people. It's good that no-one has bothered them so far. I'm actually amazed.

[CaboWaboAddict]

They wanted to be left alone, so the government keeps people from contacting them. I'm sure there are those that would like to study them, but the government is trying to preserve an ancient culture. I applaud them.

[Wolfgang]

Yes, I applaud them too. In Peru a lot of tribes in the Amazon basin have been "discovered" and introduced to the joys of t-shirts, alcohol, tobacco, plastic and taxes. Yes, amazingly, the government reckons that making these people civilised is a good thing because then they can raise taxes off them. Unfortunately, they never raise them because the people become alcoholics, very lazy and depressed. Their villages are often covered in rubbish that they don't know how to get rid of and they don't work. It's the government's fault for introducing them to The System, but also their own I suppose for not fighting against it. Though if I was in their position I would also be curious as to what these newcomers have to offer. Too bad it's the end of their culture.