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Ah, North Sentinel Island—where the enigmatic Sentinelese reign, an island that tolerates no trespasser, unlike its more docile neighbors in the Andaman archipelago. Approaching vessels, be they curious or unfortunate, have been met with arrows and jeers, as both ships and helicopters have learned the hard way. Injury and death are not mere possibilities; they are likely conclusions for the uninvited.
In 2017, John Chau, ever the zealous missionary, underwent ‘boot camp’ training under the tutelage of the Kansas City-based evangelical group, All Nations. The rigorous preparation included navigating a fabricated village, replete with role-playing staff brandishing faux spears. One might call it practice for an ill-fated quest.
By October 2018, Chau had settled in Port Blair, the bustling capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a meticulously packed kit designed for his audacious endeavor. Picture cards, gifts for the Sentinelese, medical supplies—it was all so neatly planned. Yet the irony is not lost: while the Indian government, in its bid to boost tourism, had recently opened up many of the surrounding islands, North Sentinel remained fiercely protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation. For good reason.
And so it was that in November of that same year, with a mix of faith and perhaps reckless abandon, Chau embarked on his mission, deeming the island as “Satan’s last stronghold on Earth.” Quarantined, vaccinated, medically and linguistically trained, he took the necessary precautions, though perhaps not enough to shield him from the inevitable.
Aided by two fishermen, whom he compensated handsomely for their complicity, Chau approached the forbidden shores, armed not with weapons but with a waterproof Bible. His diary reveals a man who understood the gravity of his actions—both the legal and mortal risks. He asked for divine forgiveness in advance, should he be killed, and implored that his body not be retrieved. The body, as it turns out, never left the island.
On his first attempt to breach their world, Chau faced what could only be described as a predictable reaction—hostility mixed with bewilderment. Arrows flew, and he retreated. His second attempt? More of the same, though this time, the islanders seemed almost amused at his efforts, laughing at his songs and gestures. When an arrow pierced the Bible he held to his chest, it seemed the end was near.
His final attempt on November 17 was, tragically, his last. Instructing the fishermen to leave him behind, Chau ventured one final time onto the shores of an island that had never welcomed him. The next day, the fishermen glimpsed a harrowing scene: the Sentinelese dragging his lifeless body along the beach, before finally burying it in the sand—a somber, silent ending to a mission that was perhaps doomed from the start.
#UncontactedTribes #MissionGoneWrong #JohnChau
Àrèmúorin is a distinguished Multi Awardee Conscious Writer and accomplished Holistic Jazz-Soul Singer-Songwriter & Producer, reigning at the No. 1 spot on the Jazz Charts for over 49 weeks. He held the top 10 spot for over 490 weeks.
Aremuorin, a renowned polymath holding dual honorary doctoral degrees and serving as a UN Ambassador, is celebrated for his captivating musical creations and profound literary works.
Originating from Nigeria and currently situated in the United Kingdom, his artistic prowess transcends diverse creative domains, marking him as a truly versatile virtuoso.
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