The Jarawas - Archery in India

The Jarawas / Sentinelese people of India are highly protective of their culture and way of life, living as they have done so for approx. 10,000 years, their culture virtually unchanged during that time.

How do they manage to stay isolated and unchanged?

Lots of arrows and vigilance.

Intruders on their land are often met with a very large number of arrows. Those few who have encountered them peacefully have witnessed them bowfishing, some impressive feats of archery and some unusual methods of bowmaking and stringmaking. (The image below shows a man wetting his bowstring with saliva to make it tighter and more durable.)

The Jarawas are not the only people like this either. But they are one of the few who remain isolated and virtually untouched.

Visiting them as a tourist however is not recommended. They are just as likely to shoot you. A fellow archer however, coming in peace - they might get them curious however.

Above a Jarawas man shows off his ever-present bow and arrows. 

Note that they don't fletch their arrows, since fletching interferes with bowfishing accuracy.

Below a Jarawas man sharpens a metal arrowhead made from scavenged metal.

 Above, a group of Jarawas men and women are fishing with bows and nets.

Below, two Jarawas men show off their pre-draw archery form. Note the very wide open stance.