Sentinelese

The Sentinelese are an indigenous people who inhabit North Sentinel Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India. They are among the most isolated communities in the world and have repeatedly resisted sustained contact with outsiders.

Geography and lifestyle: North Sentinel Island lies in the Bay of Bengal, northeast of Port Blair. The Sentinelese appear to live in small groups along the coast and depend on hunting, gathering, and fishing. They use simple tools and weapons, such as stone-tipped projectiles. Little is known about their social organization, economy, or daily life due to the ongoing barrier to contact.

Language and communication: Very little is known about the Sentinelese language. They have had almost no verified, sustained interaction with outsiders, and no linguistic data has been documented in a systematic way.

Contact history and policy: Attempts to contact the Sentinelese have occurred at various times since the 19th century, but interactions have often been hostile. In response, the Indian government has established a policy of non-contact and strict protection for North Sentinel Island. A no-access zone around the island is enforced, typically described as a roughly 5 nautical mile (about 9 km) exclusion zone, and approaching the island is illegal.

Notable incidents: The best-known recent incident occurred in 2018, when an American missionary, John Allen Chau, was killed while attempting to contact the Sentinelese. There have been other fatalities involving outsiders who approached the island.

Protection and status: The Sentinelese are protected by Indian law and government policy that emphasizes their autonomy and safety, prohibiting external contact and limiting access to the island. The overall aim of these measures is to prevent harm to both the Sentinelese and outsiders while respecting their isolation.