10 fascinating cultures that may soon disappear
Tribal people living around the world are in a constant war to defend themselves from the intrusion of a modern world that scorns their rights and their unique lifestyles. Here are the ten fascinating indigenous cultures that are on the verge of extinction.
1. The Maasai
The seminomadic Maasai people from Kenya and North - Tanzania of East - Africa live along the arid and semi - arid - lands in the Great - Rift Valley. They are well - known for their dance called adumu, in which men jump high to showcase their strength and stamina. The Maasai are great warriors and their boys begin to learn their responsibilities from early adulthood.
2. The Rabari
The people of Rabari tribe have actually migrated from the Iranian Plateau. However, they have been living in the deserts and plains of western India for nearly 1,000 years. They are traditionally camel herders, but today only very few people practice the nomadic lifestyle. The Rabari women wear headscarves usually in black and they also wear distinct heavy brass - earrings. They have tattoo symbols on their arms, necks and breasts.
3. The Korowai
The primitive Korowai tribes are from southeastern Papua, Indonesia, and they have a long tradition of cannibalism and living in fascinating tree houses. Generally a family of up to eight members live in a wooden tree house, built on a single tree, about 6-12 meters above the ground. They wear only banana leaves, and eat bananas, sago, deer and wild boar. Recently, the younger members of this tribe have drifted away to live in settlements built by Dutch missionaries.
4. The Huli
The indigenous population of New Guinea is the most diverse population in the world. These people belong to various tribes that are widely spread along the highland plateau, which is surrounded by mountains. The Huli people paint their faces with attractive colors. They also wear wigs that adorn their heads like hats and decorate it with feathers.
5. The Ladakhi
The Ladakhi people live in mountain valleys that are set high up between the Himalayas and Karakoram - ranges in India, in the state of Jammu - and - Kashmir. Ladakhi women from well - to - do families wear gonchas made from heavy Chinese silk and jewelry adorned with pearls and gems. The less fortunate wear gonchas made from coarse woolen clothes, which are home - spun.
6. The Lopa
The people of Mustang, a harsh terrain between Nepal and Tibet, are called Lopa. It is one among the remotest - regions of the world. Although Mustang is a part of Nepal, these people are linked with Tibet culturally and historically. At this crucial time when the Tibetan - culture is on the verge of disappearing, Mustang is one among the last Tibetan - cultures that exist today. The Lopas speak a Tibetan dialect and they practice Buddhism.
7. The Cocopah
The Cocopah means River People’, and these natives have been farming and fishing in the delta of the lower Colorado River for over 500 years. Although they numbered around 22,000, today only about 1,300 remain and only 10 among them speak their native language. While some Cocopah tribal people are fighting against governments to preserve their dying culture, many have started to leave their homeland to find jobs elsewhere.
8. The Nenets
The Nenets are a nomadic - tribe, who are reindeer herders living in the Siberian arctic. These people migrate across the Yamal - Peninsula and have lived for many centuries in a very inhospitable place on earth, where the temperature dips to -50C during winter and soars to 35C during summer. Annually they migrate over 1,000 kilometers and they also move their huge herds of reindeer with them from the summer - pastures to the winter - pastures in the Arctic Circle.
9. The Mursi
These tribal people live in the Omo - Valley of Africa's Great - Rift - Valley in Ethiopia. The Mursi, a nomadic - tribe of herdsmen, have encountered several threats to their livelihood. The extreme drought condition has made it impossible for them to feed their families as they are familiar only with their traditional activities like cattle herding and cultivation. Furthermore, the upcoming of National Parks, and the fences surrounding their boundaries and the interconnecting roads have seriously restricted their access to natural resources.
10. The Drokpa
These people from three villages scattered across the Dha - Hanu - Valley of Ladakh, a place in Jammu - and - Kashmir, are different from the other Ladakh inhabitants. The Drokpas are tall, fair, and feature big, light-colored eyes, lips that are full, and nose and eyebrows that are distinct. Historians have identified these tribal people to be the only descendants - of the - Aryans left back in India.
Throughout history you can see that many ancient civilizations have either met a slow demise or were wiped out clean by natural disasters or invasions. Today, modernization plays a major role in the dwindling of the remaining cultures.
