When the lines are thin from striving to follow one’s dreams and respect the boundaries of society The “other” blurs, tragedy follows.
The story of John Allen Chao, a young missionary who has dreams and faith in wanting to spread religion, go on adventures, and travel to unreached lands. and the North Sentinel Island located in the Andaman Islands of India An island with no language no culture By definition according to the framework of the Western world So it became a goal that John really wanted to conquer.
The documentary revolves around interviews with people around John. It gives us an insight into John’s different way of seeing the world. He is interested in many things and is brave in action. Although his courage is sometimes seen as too much.
Who is John Allen Chau?
John Allen Chao, or John Chao, a young 27-year-old Chinese Half-American missionary who is determined to do things differently and go as far as he can. What John wanted to do was to spread Christianity to the people of North Sentinel Island. An island in the Andaman group in the Bay of Bengal. which is an island that no one has yet reached
The story progresses through interviews with people around John. and the film that John shot including pictures of the atmosphere during the trip Pictures of people on North Sentinel Island mixed with the use of watercolor animation Instead of the parts of the story that John did not record as film. Help connect the story with the animation’s imagery. Although the animation was colorful, I personally felt uncomfortable. Maybe it’s because you already know how the destination will end. From interviews with the opinions of people around you Makes us know that he is a brave person. He has extreme impulsiveness power. So he dared to venture where no one else went. With the idea of wanting to be a pioneer in a country that had not yet been touched by outsiders.
North Sentinel Island Where is it on the world map?
North Sentinel Island Located in the Bay of Bengal Andaman Islands India North Sentinel Island Environment A coral reef surrounds the island. It has the same nature as the islands, but the difference is that the island environment is not cheap. ‘civilization’ is defined as the cities of people who have influence
As for the people on our island, we saw them with the eyes of outsiders as if they came from the Stone Age. They live by hunting animals for food. Their only clothing was a waist rope which at most hid their genitals, and yet, to us the difference was strange. But for them, it is a normal life. As well as earlier records that they were people who ate meat, and this is the oldest tribe But there is no historical evidence that confirms this fact.
During the story moves forward from several angles. It makes us think and question ourselves about why John acted the way he did. Why do you have that kind of idea? and some comments from John’s friends that “there is a thin line between faith and madness” can help answer the question. But in the extremes of what John did, there was a silver lining in his unwavering pursuit of his dreams. and courage which must, on the one hand, respect who one is and your own choices
John crossed a fine line of faith or madness. This caused the Northern Sentinels to raise their bows and prepare to shoot anyone who crossed their borders. “People who have been with Thanu all their lives. Never miss a shot. What he did was warn him.” Daniel Everett linguist One of the interviewees explained that People who have lived with Archer all their lives are like the people on North Sentinel Island. A bow must be used for hunting and self-defense. They were well trained, so there was no way he would miss a shot. Except he wanted to warn us off. And that arrow hit John’s doctrine that he only wanted to spread and be accepted by the people.
Propagation or imposition of religion on Sentinel Island?
As well as the story of John wanting to spread Christianity. The weight of the narrative shifts mainly to the perspective of John’s peers. But the opinion of the Islanders of the North Sentinel Has anyone asked him? Can he verbalize what he wants or doesn’t want?
The opinion of outsiders is as follows: “This is the way it is” or “You don’t have to follow my religion. Let them stay that way.” Let them (back) go, no need to practice religion. (very civilized) of me. Personally, I think it is a word that hides oppression. Is it necessary? that they must come and follow a religion like ours So it is considered to be a good life. So will you be considered a developed person?
So, I would like to ask if what John did was to impose religion on them? Will they want it? These doubts make us think too. Maybe their lives are already good in their own way. They cut themselves off from the outside world because they want to stay that way. We should not assume that he wants it. Or what do you want? Although there is no religion that we define well They can worship forests, nature, respect their existence in the way they choose. and North Sentinel Island itself is protected as a restricted area It is in a protected area of India. What John did was therefore an attack on their space. And in the end, John died from that attempt.
Leaving without a goodbye
John probably didn’t think his diary would be the last thing he left behind, but deep down he probably knew he wouldn’t make it out alive. The driving force behind being willing to sacrifice everything to this extent? As well as following your own dreams He also wanted his father to accept him, even if that desire cost him his life in the end.
“Happy to live and say goodbye in peace,” said John’s father. John’s death made him realize that he couldn’t blame himself for being selfish. Pushing John to extreme ideas and immersing himself in the story
News reports that John Allen Chao was shot with an arrow by someone on North Sentinel Island and died. If we didn’t know this story before watching the movie. It must be quite heartbreaking. John died in 2018. Only the diary that John kept was made into the film. Currently, John’s body has not been found and is still being searched for. This incident made people pay attention and express their opinion on John’s actions from different angles. Personally, I think what John did was to force religion in the name of goodwill. space invasion Violate the rights of people on North Sentinel Island But if you ask people on North Sentinel Island to shoot arrows? Or is it okay to hurt someone? It is definitely not. And this event caused John to be a martyr, sacrificing his life to his dreams forever.
About Kanyarat Namyam
National Geographic Editorial Collaborative Education Project, Thai Edition
YouTube photo: National Geographic
The Mission documentary film tags
#Mission #documentary #life #missionary #crossed #border #dreams #death #National #Geographic #Thailand
