Researcher finds isolated tribes

Researcher finds isolated tribes

SOASIO, Maluku: An anthropologist from Yale University in the
United States, currently here studying the lives of the isolated
Togutil tribe in the hinterland of Halmahera, Maba district, has
stumbled upon hundreds of nomadic Biribiri tribesmen.

Christopher Duncan told Antara yesterday that the tribesmen's
living conditions are deplorable. "They are still unclothed and
roam the forests, arming themselves with spears, bows and arrows"
he said.

Safwan, a local official of the Ministry of Social Services,
said many members of isolated tribes have begun to establish
greater contacts with the surrounding communities.

He said his office has so far resettled 2,400 families of
isolated tribes from Seram, Halmahera and Buru islands to more
open areas. It's planning to resettle 127 more families.

Safwan said there are an estimated 12 tribes spread through 65
villages in the regencies of Central Maluku, North Maluku and
Central Halmahera. (swe)