THE UNKNOWN WORLD OF THE SENTINEL ISLAND

The period of colonisation opened up new geographical lands for the colonisers. This particular period can be known as the one where new land was discovered while understanding the new tribes and societies colonisers encountered. However, during the British colonisation of the Indian Subcontinent, there was one island that was away from the exploitative nature of the British- Sentinel Island.

Sentinel Island. Image Source: Wikipedia

The North Sentinel Island is a part of the Andaman Nicobar Islands situated in the Bay of Bengal. While this island is a part of the Indian Union’s Constitutional Plan, we haven’t been able to understand or know them in any possible way. To date, they despise visitors and are one of the rarest tribes to be living in complete isolation from the outside world.

Sentinel Island is also known for its mystery during the 2004 Tsunami. It is believed that during this foremost calamity, the natives of this island learned to adapt themselves to the rushing waters and saved their tribe.

While other tribes of the Andaman region like Onge and the Jarawa are familiar with the functioning of the socio-political and economic world, Sentinelese is even isolated from their fellow tribes. Interestingly, the Onge and the Jarawa also cannot understand the language and culture of the Sentinelese. We have been continuously mentioning their secluded nature, yet the reason for such a lifestyle has not been discussed. So, let us get into it.

The story dates back to the year 1771, the year from which we have been able to gather information and resources of contact. The East India Company vessel travelled through Sentinel Island during one of its survey missions. However, without any reason to take a stop and also because of their hydrographic survey mission, they left the Island as it is. It was only a century later when the Ninevah ship which was an Indian merchant ship had to take refuge in Sentinel Island because of their ship’s wreckage.

They stayed on the island for three days without facing any inconvenience with the natives of the land. However, after the numbered days, the Sentinelese realised that they have overstayed and it is time for the visitors to go. They pointed arrows and bows toward the outsiders while the latter answered with sticks and stones. The air became thick with awkwardness and fright until the Royal Navy vessel arrived to rescue the outsiders.

This incident has been recorded by the refugees. However, we don’t know the native’s side of the story regarding what happened and why they reacted in that way. Later, the British declared the Andaman lands to be a part of their colony.

During the 1880s Maurice Vidal Portman, a Royal Navy Officer decided to look after the Andaman lands. Hence, with a large party of officers and an anthropologist, they reached the island of Sentinel. The moment they set their foot on the sand of this beautiful island, they saw the habituated region deserted. People rushed to a safe territory away from the outsiders. However, one elderly couple along with four children stayed back.

Rather than being comforting and being respectful to the natives, these royal officers kidnapped the six of them and took them to the land of Port Blair where the couple got sick and died. At that moment, the royal officer realised what had happened and decided to drop the four kids back on their lands.

It is believed that this incident left a deep scar on the minds of the natives, and they started viewing the outsiders as evil who had one purpose and that was to hurt them. Since then, whenever any outsider tries to penetrate or know more about this tribe, they become hostile.

After independence, our government tried hundreds of times to establish an appreciated relationship with the Sentinelese. They offered them coconuts, metal utensils, games and other such stuff. hile they never refused the offerings, they never welcomed Indians in their territory nor did they offer something in return.

Over the past few years, various news and incidents have taken place where tourists have tried to enter Sentinel Island but were perished of the hostile behaviour showcased by the natives. While our curiosity does get the best of us, we also need to realise the nature of this penetration. It is not easy for everyone to be accepting and forgiving, and it becomes even more difficult when a group of strangers keeps on barging into your home.

The map of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Image Source: Wikipedia