TSAD

TSAD, or "Tasaday" in its original spelling, refers to a Stone Age indigenous people discovered in 1971 in the rainforests of Mindanao, Philippines. The discovery of the Tasaday garnered international attention due to their seemingly primitive lifestyle, which was believed by some to have remained unchanged for centuries. They lived in caves, subsisted on foraging and hunting, and reportedly had no knowledge of farming or settled agriculture.

The Tasaday were first encountered by a group of outsiders, including anthropologist Dr. Robert Fox, who were initially led to them by local Tasaday guides. The group's existence was kept secret for a period to protect them from external influences. However, this secrecy led to skepticism and accusations of a hoax, with some researchers questioning the authenticity of their supposed isolation and cultural state.

Over time, the Tasaday community began to interact more with the outside world. This interaction, along with subsequent research and political changes in the Philippines, led to increased scrutiny of the initial findings. Some later studies and analyses suggested that the Tasaday's level of isolation might have been exaggerated, and that they had some contact with other indigenous groups prior to their "discovery." The debate surrounding the Tasaday continues, highlighting the complexities of anthropological research, cultural contact, and the potential for misinterpretation in studying isolated communities.