04/28/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AcN1WuEpM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
In 2018, John Allen Chau attempted to make contact with the people on North Sentinel Island.
North Sentinel Island is the home of the Sentinalese, an indigenous people who have chosen voluntary isolation. They have consistently safeguarded their protected seclusion from external contact, often resorting to force.
Visiting the island is completely illegal and the only way to visit the island is with government permission.
John Allen Chau did not have pre-approved permission. Instead, he travelled to the island after paying local fisherman $335 to drop him off.
He travelled with the aim of spreading Christianity to the island.
He wrote the following entry into his diary:
"Lord, is this island Satan's last stronghold, where none have heard or even had the chance to hear your name?", "The eternal lives of this tribe is at hand", and "I think it's worthwhile to declare Jesus to these people. Please do not be angry at them or at God if I get killed ... Don't retrieve my body."
On November 15, Chau made his initial attempt to visit the island using a fishing boat, reaching a distance of approximately 500–700 meters (1,600–2,300 ft) from the shore.
Despite warnings from fishermen to avoid going further, he paddled towards the shore carrying a waterproof Bible.
In his approach, Chau tried to communicate with the islanders and offer gifts but withdrew when met with hostile responses.
During another visit, Chau noted that the islanders responded to him with a blend of amusement, bewilderment, and hostility.
Despite attempting to sing worship songs to them, they burst into laughter once he finished.
In his final letter, Chau recounted that, as he attempted to offer fish and gifts, a boy shot a metal-headed arrow that pierced the Bible held in front of his chest, prompting him to retreat once more.
During his last visit on November 17, Chau directed the fishermen to leave him behind.
Subsequently, the fishermen saw the islanders dragging Chau's lifeless body, and the next day, they witnessed his burial on the shore.
Indian authorities made multiple efforts to retrieve the body but eventually decided to abandon those attempts after hostile encounters.
