What if you could pick a superpower? Would you go for eternal youth or maybe the ability to control animals? It may sound like a fantasy, but there are native tribes around the world blessed with such superpowers. Some tribes seem to defy the aging process, while others boast superhuman vision. From African tribes who can control animals to the sea-gypsy children known as the Moken, let’s explore some tribes with powers you’d love to have.
1. The Kalenjin Tribe
Have you ever watched marathon runners on TV and wished you had their stamina? There’s a tribe in Kenya, East Africa, known as the Kalenjin, who can outpace most marathon runners without any professional training. These naturally gifted runners have made a significant impact on marathon events worldwide. You could say that their superpower is their insane amount of stamina and endurance.
A member of this tribe, Wilson Kipsang, has won countless marathons, even setting the fastest marathon record ever in 2013 at Berlin. What’s remarkable is that his fellow Kenyans also dominated the event. Many scientists believe the secret to their success lies in their slender physique, common to the Milotic tribes of Kenya, which makes them gifted runners.
2. The Bajau Watermen
Can you imagine holding your breath underwater for more than a few minutes? Probably not, right? Well, that’s just an average day for the Bajau tribe of the Philippines. Known as the Sea Nomads or “human mermaids,” the Bajau have made their home in the waters of the Philippines, Burma, Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
They live on the sea, with children diving up to 60 meters deep for more than 13 minutes. These folks have become the subject of studies worldwide due to their extraordinary diving abilities. In fact, their talent for free diving has earned them the nickname “The Watermen.” They make their living from fishing, and legend has it one Bajau boy even fell asleep underwater!
3. Nigeria’s Hyena People’s Beast Taming Superpowers
Are you good at training your pet? Most pet owners know getting a dog to sit or shake hands can be a challenge. Imagine if it were a hyena or a large wild cat. That’s exactly what the ‘hyena boys’ from Nigeria do. They start learning how to tame wild animals at the tender age of five. These boys are often spotted with pythons casually wrapped around their necks or leading cheetahs that listen to their every command.
Many believe these boys have a spiritual connection with animals, while others view them as magical due to their mysterious control over wild beasts. They’re believed to be given magical potions from infancy, which endow them with superpowers and a spiritual connection with animals. As they grow, they are trained in the art of taming these creatures.
These ‘hyena boys’ roam around towns performing with their animals, from dancing hyenas to somersaulting monkeys to wild cats that leap into their arms. What’s even more shocking is their interaction with poisonous reptiles without getting harmed.
4. The Aborigines of Australia
Have you ever thought about what makes Australia so captivating? Sure, it’s got diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and stunning natural wonders. But what really stands out are its indigenous people, the Aborigines. They’re known for their rich traditions and customs, but did you know they have superhero-like eyesight? Yep, their superpower is excellent vision! They can see things four times smaller than the average human. How amazing is that?
This incredible vision is vital in the Australian North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE), a mostly Aboriginal unit whose members can spot an enemy miles away. Today, they patrol a massive 1.8 million square kilometres of land in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. During peacetime, NORFORCE spotters keep a keen eye out for migrant vessels, asylum seekers and illegal fishing boats in Australian waters – a task too challenging for the regular army. Experts believe their superpower of extraordinary vision can be attributed to their specializes brains and retinas, that have been wired differently since childhood, giving them this eagle-eye supervision.
5. The Irulas of South India
Snake charmers might be a common sight in India, but few know about the Irulas tribe. They can put even seasoned snake charmers to shame. The term ‘Irulas’ translates to ‘The Dark People,’ denoting their dark skin tone. But it’s their ability to handle venomous snakes that truly makes them stand out. It’s an everyday affair for an Irula to casually handle a deadly Indian cobra as if it were a toy.
Their unique understanding of snakes and reptiles is believed to be a natural gift complemented by ancient knowledge. Despite modern pest control affecting their livelihood, Irulas are still in high demand globally. For instance, Sadaiyan and Gopal from the tribe were hired to clear the Key Largo region in the Florida Keys of invasive Burmese pythons, bagging a cool $70,000!
6. The Mermaid People Of Thailand’s Moken Tribe
You thought the Bajau tribe was amazing with their underwater skills, right? Wait till you hear about the Moken tribe from Thailand. These kids can not only see clearly underwater but swim like dolphins too!
They’re like real-life mermaids, and experts are just as baffled as you probably are right now. These water babies spend their days diving in the Andaman seas and off the western coast of Thailand, foraging for food like shellfish, clams, and sea cucumbers. They’re so adapted to their underwater lifestyle that they prefer water to land. Just think, with enough practice, like these Moken kids, you could attain the superpower of clear underwater vision too!
7. The Chukchi Tribe
Does winter make you shiver? Imagine living in an Arctic region with temperatures that could turn you into a popsicle. Sound impossible? Not for the Chukchi tribe, native to the remote Russian tundra of Siberia. These herdsmen live in the Chukchi Peninsula or Chukotka, where they’ve adapted to the freezing cold in ways that would make your jaw drop.
They can spend days outdoors without shelter, food, or water, hunting reindeer and sea creatures like whales, walruses, and sea lions. Their homes are like tepees made of reindeer hide, called Yarangas. With modernization, many now live in apartments and wooden homes. However, around 16,000 Chukchis still stick to their tribe’s traditions. You can call their superpower the ability to resist the cold.
8. The Tsimane Tribe
How about we talk about the ‘real-life’ fountain of youth? Yeah, it’s not just a myth but a reality for the Tsimane Tribe of Bolivia. If retaining a youthful body was a superpower then these horticulturalists living in the Bolivian Amazon seem to have hit the genetic jackpot when it comes to ageing.
They have the lowest levels of vascular ageing compared to any other population on Earth. They’ve got ridiculously low-risk rates for coronary atherosclerosis – five times lower than an average American. What’s more, a medical study on 85 Tsimane villages found that 85% of the tribe had no risk of cardiovascular disease. And guess what? Two-thirds of these folks were men over 75 years old.
So, what’s their secret? Well, it comes down to their healthy, natural diets of non-processed carbs and low fat. They live a life free from common risk factors like physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. They’re always on the move, hunting, gathering, fishing, and farming – only about 10% of their day is spent being inactive. It seems that staying active and eating healthily is their recipe for anti-ageing!
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