Tasadays

The Tasadays were an indigenous group living on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines until the early 20th century. Their name, "Tasaday," is derived from the local term for the mountain where they resided, Mount Matutum.

From the late 19th century, Westerners, including anthropologists and explorers, had attempted to make contact with this group, but were largely unsuccessful. Their existence was shrouded in mystery, leading to widespread speculation about their lifestyle and culture. Many believed they were a lost tribe of stone-age people, untouched by modern civilization.

It was not until 1971 that a member of the local government, Elizalde Jealsa, claimed to have made contact with the Tasadays. He reported witnessing the group's supposed "primitive" behavior, including their physical isolation, the use of stone tools, and a perceived stone-age way of life. According to Jealsa, he was led by a local tribe to a cave where he first encountered the Tasadays.

Among anthropologists and other experts, there has been ongoing debate about the veracity of these claims. While some accepted the reports as authentic, others raised concerns about cultural imperialism and the need for careful observation and documentation. It was later suggested that the Tasadays may have been constructed as a tourist attraction or even a publicity stunt by Jealsa. The nature of the kingdom was called into question, with some considering it a modern creation.