World

Outrage Ensues Over Indian Islands ‘Human Zoo’

Jarawa Tribe“It’s deplorable. You cannot treat human beings like beasts for the sake of money.” That is the statement made by India’s Tribal Affairs Minister V. Kishore Chandra Deo on Wednesday after an investigation was launched into a depraved tourist-attraction promoting “human zoos.”

“Whatever kind of tourism is that, I totally disapprove of that and it is being banned also,” the minister added.

As The Guardian explains, the Jarawa tribe have inhabited the Andaman Islands for thousands of years. Now tourism companies are operating daily “safaris” through natives’ jungle and wealthy tourists are allegedly paying police to make the women — typically naked — dance for their amusement.

The following footage, filmed by a tourist, shows Jarawa women being told to dance by an off-camera police officer:

AFP via Yahoo! adds:

Under Indian laws designed to protect ancient tribal groups susceptible to outside influence and disease, photographing or coming into contact with the Jarawa and some of the Andaman aborigines is banned. [...]

“An inquiry has been ordered and it is being headed by the chief secretary and director-general of police of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” Deo told the Press Trust of India news agency.

Survival International, which lobbies on behalf of tribal groups worldwide, said the video showed tourists apparently enjoying “human zoos.”

“Quite clearly, some people‘s attitudes towards tribal peoples haven’t moved on a jot. The Jarawa are not circus ponies bound to dance at anyone’s bidding,” said Stephen Corry, the group’s director, in a press release.

But questions have since surfaced as to whether the video taken was in fact recent. State anthropologist A. Justin, who reportedly works on the islands, stated:

“Before the 2004 tsunami, people might have forced them to dance and there may have been some much smaller violations since then…Since the tsunami, a policy of maximum autonomy with minimum intervention has been put in place. Things are being taken care of these days. There is a lot of (security) coverage there now.”

Justin told AFP that the video appeared to be several years old, while police in Port Blair also suggested it was likely taken years ago.

“The video appears to be six to seven years old when Jarawas remained unclothed but now they wear dresses in public,” Director-General of Police Samsher Deol said.

“Nonetheless we have launched a probe because we want to know who is the videographer who has committed an offence and we also want to know who bribed and who has been bribed,” Deol said.

Comments (88)

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  • DefectiveByDesign
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:55pm

    “Nonetheless we have launched a probe because we want to know who is the videographer who has committed an offence and we also want to know who bribed and who has been bribed,” Deol said.

    It is now a crime to report real news. Muckraking is illegal.You must tow the party line, and speak only from the teleprompter. Free thought and dissent will not be tolerated. We must not tolerate organizations like wikileaks, even if they are partially under our control. The hegelian dialectic will be used to keep dissenters under control. There is no choice.

    Report Post » DefectiveByDesign  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:45pm

    Oh no, now that this story is out, Michelle Obama will put these women on a diet. Michelle doesn’t want anyone to have food.

    Kidding aside, this is pretty perverted, for the men to ask naked women to dance for food.

    Report Post »  
    • Rashomon
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:59pm

      haven’t heard of mardi gras

      women will dance for anything.

      Report Post » Rashomon  
    • Lawrence7
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 6:09pm

      Women dance for food money all the time in strip joints… not saying that is a good thing for them to do. But their not striping at the point of a gun either.

      Report Post »  
  • Kiba
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:37pm

    Did anyone ever think that to them the tourist are savages? Maybe the reverse is happening and they are laughing at the tourist?

    Report Post »  
  • Xpat48
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:35pm

    Are they wearing “Air-Jordan’s?”

    Report Post » Xpat48  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:29pm

    .
    At first glance I thought it was the Obama’s on vacation………………….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • ROMANS 10-9
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:27pm

    …

    So that means
    no more
    NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
    Magazine I guess???

    Report Post » ROMANS 10-9  
  • mchurchwell
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:27pm

    Outrage for what? They were doing it on their own free will for food.

    Report Post » mchurchwell  
  • Palladin
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:25pm

    You people who laugh at the treatment of any human being like this are what will bring our nation to its knees. I for one dont have a bleeding heart for them but respect that they choose to live a certain way and by no means should be exploited for fun and games. Your racist comments put a bad name on people like Glen Beck and conservatives all over.

    Report Post »  
    • Rob
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:34pm

      Bite me Big Brother…you don’t control what I say or think….yet.

      Report Post »  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:45pm

      He never said he did. He only expressed his truthful view that people who think this is funny are deplorable human beings. You are free to think whatever you want to think. It doesn’t make you any less of a douche-waffle.

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:59pm

      People in this country tour Amish country to see those people, is this any different? I didn’t see anyone being forced to do anything. They were being given food that they probably need.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 6:05pm

      Gonzo. First of all, the Amish aren’t really all that removed from normal society. Second, these people have survived on their own just fine for thousands of years. I’m pretty sure they can get by without handouts.

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 6:07pm

      Besides, did you get a good look at some of those aborigines? They obviously aren’t starving.

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 12:14am

      PALLADTN, I am so happy that someone else shares my thoughts on this. Perfect post. THANK-YOU! God Bless’

      Report Post » pamela kay  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:50am

      Reall? Do “they choose to live a certain way”? Not how I see it: “Under Indian laws designed to protect ancient tribal groups susceptible to outside influence and disease, photographing or coming into contact with the Jarawa and some of the Andaman aborigines is banned. [...]” Seems like India does not want a human ZOO, but it does want a human MUSEUM. Why are they cloistered by “the largest democracy in the world”? India should allow them opportunities for education and commerce. Sure, police the interaction for a few years to make sure they are not abused, but let them move forward!

      Report Post »  
    • countryfirst
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:22am

      People in this country get handouts from the government every month, we cannot ask them to contribute any labor for it or even dance a little.

      Report Post » countryfirst  
  • workinghard
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:22pm

    Tourists, really? Are you sure it’s not a bunch of libs trying to get them to sign up for EBT cards?

    Report Post »  
  • AnAppealToGod
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:17pm

    Hell, I will charge $100 dollars per person if they want to come to my zoo.

    Report Post » AnAppealToGod  
  • Balthazor
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:12pm

    These Jawas look much larger when they’re out of their hooded cloaks.

    Report Post » Balthazor  
  • garylee123
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:03pm

    Why do people think that the world stays static? National Geographic has been doing this for over 100 years. Pick one up from 50 years ago. Is everything still the same?

    Report Post »  
  • Outlaw_Josey_Wales
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:57pm

    looks like Detroit City.

    Report Post » Outlaw_Josey_Wales  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:56pm

    The zoo keeper says “it’s time to feed the monkeys”

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
    • kNOwKINGsmen
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:27pm

      I’m so done with the Blaze. I like Glenn B but the conversation is degenerating fast! signing off ! See you never!!!

      Report Post » kNOwKINGsmen  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:56pm

    From the article: “It’s deplorable. You cannot treat human beings like beasts for the sake of money.”

    Um, yes indeed – unfortunately you can. Evil wicked people prey on (1) people’s poverty, or worse (2) people’s greed for money in order to make them do all sorts of things.

    It’s just more obvious in this story & video because of the abject poverty. But its happening in a million different ways right now in every city on the planet.

    “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” ~ Apostle Paul.

    This video is an example of why I financially support missions works in various parts of the world. So people can be helped and lifted up, instead of used and abused.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
  • Joisey
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:56pm

    They should have followed the Prime Directive of non-interference from Star Trek.

    Report Post » Joisey  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:56pm

    Leave these people alone.
    They have not been subjected to the failings and evil of modern civilization
    They are pure of spirt.
    I envy them.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:55pm

    At least they’re not asking for summa dat Obama money.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • freedomofspeech
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:55pm

    no electirc musical instruments, only voice and clapping, made me want to dance too. Woman needs to learn how to say “bug off freak”.

    Report Post »  
  • ShyMan
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:50pm

    And all the libertarians said, “consenting adults, consenting adults. “

    Report Post » ShyMan  
    • bane73
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:59pm

      It‘s obvious that you either don’t understand the libertarian-position or you don’t read very well.

      What part of “… police to *MAKE* the women… ” did you miss?

      Libertarians are for free-agency; paying cops to force an individual to do something you want them to do is in no way an exercise of that individual’s free-agency.

      I guess you are an example of why libertarianism is doomed: too many like you who are too incapable or dishonest of understanding simple concepts.

      Report Post »  
  • redgypsy
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:49pm

    Oh, the Jarawa are probably thinking, “What stupid people these tourists are!! All we have to do is dance a little, and they give us food. Then we take the food home and laugh at the ridiculous show!!” They probably chant all sorts of derogatory things at the people who don’t understand them, kind of like Navajo and Apache Indians that were in some of the old westerns–when they were told to converse in their own language, they talked back and forth about the stupidity of the whites. When the films previewed on the Indian reservations, the audiences howled.
    Snort.

    Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:44pm

    The film must be very old. The baseball hat says Brooklin Dodgers.

    Report Post »  
  • Sumrknght
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:43pm

    … Ok, doesn’t the fact that the tribe now wears clothes – show undue influence and interference with this tribe? They exist like that for the past 1000 years and now due to interaction with the ‘outside world’ they’re wearing clothes? Being made to dance for food… instead of having to hunt/gather it. That… why.. that almost sounds like… having to go to work. Someone notify OWS… they all need to go over THERE and occupy the land around the tribe to keep everyone else out. Yeah… that’s the ticket.

    Report Post »  
  • georgepatton
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:42pm

    Eric Holder…………………….call you office!

    Report Post »  
  • Rob
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:32pm

    That wasn’t Occupy Wall Street?

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 4:47pm

      No these are what the OWS band want to be like – save they want to keep the conveinces of lights, heat, food, e-pads…all save for the actual usage of WATER TO BATHE.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • EchoHawk
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 5:35pm

      And nothing occupies the short distance between your ears.

      Report Post »  
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