INDONESIA | Monday, 8 July 2013 | Views [2259] | Comments [2] | View Larger Image
The Mentawai Islands are renowned as being one of the worlds finest surfing locations. Surfing enthusiasts are more than willing to transverse the globe to spend a week or two carving-up the spectacular wave-fronts, but many remain confined to their all-inclusive resort or live-a-board boat. Few become acquainted with the Mentawaian people who inhabit the jungle interior of the islands, continuing to adhere to their ancient traditions and hunter-gatherer lifestyle. These indigenous people and their animalist beliefs and traditions are under threat from (sometimes forceful) government intervention with the intention of relocating the Mentawaians into government-commissioned resettlement villages, designed to wash them of their “pagan” traditions.
