Isolated tribe to be studied

AMBON, Maluku: The Maluku Study Center, Pattimura University and the regional office of the Ministry of Social Services will conduct joint research into the life of isolated tribes in Ilowa village, North Maluku.

"It is important to analyze this nomadic tribe which has so far been unable to manage its economic resources", the head of the regional office, Safwan, told Antara on Saturday.

The research will be carried out by a team of experts from the study center and the university.

According to Safwan, the research aims to discover the origins of the tribe. He said the local administration hoped to develop the tribal culture and their way of life, saying it might one day be an attraction for tourists.

Safwan said that, so far, such a research had been mostly carried out by foreign experts. The results of their research had helped improve the quality of life of the tribes concerned, he said.

He said that foreign researchers were currently expressing interest in conducting research into the Noaulu tribe on Seram Island, Maluku.