American killed by uncontacted tribe

Associated Press (ap.org via mail.com); Editors, Wisdom Quarterly

Paradise Almost Lost to white Christian invaders, would-be colonialists, and imperial God

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"A case of misdirected adventure:" American killed by tribe

No one said spreading hegemony was easy.

NEW DELHI, India - The first time American Christian missionary John Allen Chau made it to the remote North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean, he came bearing gifts that included [disease and imperial domination] a football and fish.

He "interacted" with some of the tribesmen until they became angry and [told him to go away in no uncertain terms when they] shot an arrow at him.

Map of North Sentinel Island, India

The isolated tribe survive by hunting, fishing, and collecting wild plants. They are known for repelling anyone who comes near their sacred island with bows and arrows and spears.

The arrow did not harm the Christian missionary but struck a book Chau was carrying. The 26-year-old "adventurer"/trespasser and Christian missionary swam back to a boat of fishermen which was waiting at a safe distance.

Christian missionaries (AP)

That night, he wrote about his missionary activities and "adventures" and left his notes with the fishermen. He returned to the island the next day, November 16.

What happened then isn't known, but on the morning of the following day, the fishermen watched from the boat as the tribe dragged the missionary's body along the beach [as a sign to others to stay away].

Dependera Pathak, director-general of police on India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said Wednesday that the seven fishermen have been arrested for helping the American reach North Sentinel Island. Visits to the island are heavily restricted by the Indian government.

Good thing First Nations people were "nice."

Officials were working with anthropologists to recover the body. "It was a case of misdirected adventure," Pathak said. Chau was apparently shot and killed by arrows, but the cause of death can't be confirmed until his body is recovered, Pathak told the Associated Press.

In an Instagram post, his family said it was mourning him as a "beloved son, brother, uncle, and best friend to us." The family also said it forgave his killers and called for the release of those who assisted him in his quest to reach the island. More

• Latest: Police go to island to investigate US man's death