Siberut island

Siberut island

Not long ago I visited the island of Siberut, an island near
Padang, West Sumatra. Meeting the Mentawai and learning about
their way of life is probably the best experience I had during my
travels through Indonesia. The Mentawai tribes live in clans,
they have their own language and their own way of life.

With the help of a guide, who speaks their language, they
pointed out to me that the Indonesian government is destroying
their rain forest to build oil palm plantations. Building those
plantations implies killing the clans living on Siberut island,
as they live in the forest from which they get their food.

I would like to point out to all of you that in a few years
yet another Indonesian tribe will be eliminated by a destructive
way of doing business. In order to keep Siberut as it is, the
government should invest in education and health care.

Please do not destroy this beautiful and valuable nature and
your very interesting culture just to earn quick money. I am
afraid that is short-term thinking.

MIEKE

Amsterdam, The Netherlands