This was taken from the front page of the Bangkok Post this morning
Tura,India Authorities in India will investigate claims by terriefied villagers that bigfoot-type hairy giants are roaming the remote northeast.
The bizarre sightings have reportedly been made in the Garo hills area of Meghalaya sate close to the borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan,
Villagers have dubbed the mysterious creatures Mande Burang or jungle man.
Many have seen this creature over the years but recently the sightings have increased considerably. Does any one have any further information on Mande Burung? I'm intriqued
Full Version: India's Bigfoot tribe
Very interesting. Hope there is some follow up to this.
From 'The Telegraph', Calcutta:
QUOTE
Big Foot search begins afresh
- Villagers in Garo hills claim to have sighted mythical giant
Shillong, June 3: “Gigantic, hairy, ape-like...” was all that Abu Marak could utter in between gasps for breath.
Surrounded by villagers in the safety of his house near Durabanda in the West Garo Hills, Abu’s eyes still mirrored the excitement of spotting the animal. Within a few days, Abu’s account, coupled with those of a few other villagers, became the raw material for a renewed scientific search for the legendary Big Foot — mande burung in Garo.
Sasquatch in North America, yowie in Australia, yeti in Nepal — Big Foot has its share of dedicated followers across the globe. The creature, which is supposed to be about eight feet tall, is said to have been last sighted at Rongrigittim in South Garo Hills in July 2005, before making a reappearance in May this year.
The Achik Tourism Society, which has been on this elusive animal’s trail for the past few years, said the best sighting data was recorded in between January and March in 2002.
This year, the animal was spotted in forests between Nokrek and Chokpot.
“Soon after receiving news from the villagers, we sent our team on the trail of this unknown creature, but unfortunately we could neither see it, nor record any footprints,” said Dipu N. Marak, general secretary of the Achik Tourism Society.
By the time the villagers reported their findings, the mande burung had shifted its location, rued Dipu.
Before coming together as the Achik Tourism Society, Marak and his friends were engaged in compiling data about Big Foot.
“We started our data collection on November 15, 1997, when the creature was first seen near Andol Chiring, in South Garo Hills,” Dipu said.
Information on the mande burung are available in the form of video footages and photographs of footprints, which measure between 14 to 15 inches and impressions believed to have been left by the creature on trees and nests.
“We have already alerted the Wild Life Trust of India after hearing about its sighting this year, but the authorities have shown little interest in the creature,” Dipu said.
The Achik Tourism Society has also apprised the deputy director of tourism in Tura about the findings.
Conservationists and biologists believe that the creature, which could be a descendant of the ancient primate, may have been living in the dense jungles of the Nokrek peak.
Author and Sahitya Akademi award winner Llewellyn R. Marak, who is also an avid follower of mande burung data — is optimistic that “one day the efforts by the villagers and youths to trace Big Foot will be rewarded.”
“I have seen the footprints of this creature. It’s really big and I am convinced that such a creature has a home in Nokrek,” he said.
Llewellyn came down heavily on forest guards and officials for not heeding the villagers’ reports.
“Very frankly, they (forest guards) are lazy and instead of listening to the villagers, they scold them.”
All attempts by conservationists to persuade the forest department to initiate a research into the mande burung have also proved futile.
But that has not dampened the spirit of those who have ceaselessly been collecting every detail to prove that Big elusive Foot does existence.
Top
- Villagers in Garo hills claim to have sighted mythical giant
Shillong, June 3: “Gigantic, hairy, ape-like...” was all that Abu Marak could utter in between gasps for breath.
Surrounded by villagers in the safety of his house near Durabanda in the West Garo Hills, Abu’s eyes still mirrored the excitement of spotting the animal. Within a few days, Abu’s account, coupled with those of a few other villagers, became the raw material for a renewed scientific search for the legendary Big Foot — mande burung in Garo.
Sasquatch in North America, yowie in Australia, yeti in Nepal — Big Foot has its share of dedicated followers across the globe. The creature, which is supposed to be about eight feet tall, is said to have been last sighted at Rongrigittim in South Garo Hills in July 2005, before making a reappearance in May this year.
The Achik Tourism Society, which has been on this elusive animal’s trail for the past few years, said the best sighting data was recorded in between January and March in 2002.
This year, the animal was spotted in forests between Nokrek and Chokpot.
“Soon after receiving news from the villagers, we sent our team on the trail of this unknown creature, but unfortunately we could neither see it, nor record any footprints,” said Dipu N. Marak, general secretary of the Achik Tourism Society.
By the time the villagers reported their findings, the mande burung had shifted its location, rued Dipu.
Before coming together as the Achik Tourism Society, Marak and his friends were engaged in compiling data about Big Foot.
“We started our data collection on November 15, 1997, when the creature was first seen near Andol Chiring, in South Garo Hills,” Dipu said.
Information on the mande burung are available in the form of video footages and photographs of footprints, which measure between 14 to 15 inches and impressions believed to have been left by the creature on trees and nests.
“We have already alerted the Wild Life Trust of India after hearing about its sighting this year, but the authorities have shown little interest in the creature,” Dipu said.
The Achik Tourism Society has also apprised the deputy director of tourism in Tura about the findings.
Conservationists and biologists believe that the creature, which could be a descendant of the ancient primate, may have been living in the dense jungles of the Nokrek peak.
Author and Sahitya Akademi award winner Llewellyn R. Marak, who is also an avid follower of mande burung data — is optimistic that “one day the efforts by the villagers and youths to trace Big Foot will be rewarded.”
“I have seen the footprints of this creature. It’s really big and I am convinced that such a creature has a home in Nokrek,” he said.
Llewellyn came down heavily on forest guards and officials for not heeding the villagers’ reports.
“Very frankly, they (forest guards) are lazy and instead of listening to the villagers, they scold them.”
All attempts by conservationists to persuade the forest department to initiate a research into the mande burung have also proved futile.
But that has not dampened the spirit of those who have ceaselessly been collecting every detail to prove that Big elusive Foot does existence.
Top
In this area, there's also the supposedly Yerren, kinda like last surviving Neanderthals...I can't comment yet.
Hrrmzzz.....can't help thinking of Johor..........can anyone say Orang Pendek....
Why would a species spend several hundred years in seclusion only to suddenly terrorise villagers without provocation?
Why would a species spend several hundred years in seclusion only to suddenly terrorise villagers without provocation?
There are so many different country's that have some type of Bigfoot it wouldn't surprise me....
I, too, hope there is a follow up on this story. I do not hear much n Bigfoot being mentioned in India.
QUOTE(psyche101 @ Jun 12 2007, 12:03 PM) [snapback]1719963[/snapback]
Hrrmzzz.....can't help thinking of Johor..........can anyone say Orang Pendek....
Why would a species spend several hundred years in seclusion only to suddenly terrorise villagers without provocation?
Why would a species spend several hundred years in seclusion only to suddenly terrorise villagers without provocation?
Firstly I don't think that they are 'terrorising' villagers I believe that its probably a mixture of fear from the villagers themselves and a natural reaction to people presence. I'm sure that most apes will defend their territory rather than flee. Secondly the stories have apparently been around for many generations it just seems that recently the sightings have increased considerably. One eye witness states that he saw several creature together. Many thats why the sightings have increased?
QUOTE(Dante @ Jun 12 2007, 05:28 PM) [snapback]1720069[/snapback]
Firstly I don't think that they are 'terrorising' villagers I believe that its probably a mixture of fear from the villagers themselves and a natural reaction to people presence. I'm sure that most apes will defend their territory rather than flee. Secondly the stories have apparently been around for many generations it just seems that recently the sightings have increased considerably. One eye witness states that he saw several creature together. Many thats why the sightings have increased?
Just like they did in Johor?
Sorry, I don't mean to offend, obviously you believe, I do not. I think Johor was a disgraceful act.
If these sightings have any possible creedence, why have we no teams of scientists there meeting this new primate? It would send Tom Biscardi into a fainting spell. At the very least I am sure NG could offer a camera crew. I also read on GUST a couple years ago that a man had a Dragon in his shed - really! I take these stories with a large grain of salt. Especially third world countries that believe heavily in superstitions. Nothing against the superstitions, that is the culture, but a superstition does not a bigfoot make
QUOTE
claims by terriefied villagers that bigfoot-type hairy giants are roaming the remote northeast
Terrorised does not seem to harsh a word? Villagers were terrified?
I'll keep my reservations on this one, I am interested to know what Indeed thinks of this.
QUOTE(psyche101 @ Jun 12 2007, 03:18 PM) [snapback]1720094[/snapback]
Just like they did in Johor?
Sorry, I don't mean to offend, obviously you believe, I do not. I think Johor was a disgraceful act.
If these sightings have any possible creedence, why have we no teams of scientists there meeting this new primate? It would send Tom Biscardi into a fainting spell. At the very least I am sure NG could offer a camera crew. I also read on GUST a couple years ago that a man had a Dragon in his shed - really! I take these stories with a large grain of salt. Especially third world countries that believe heavily in superstitions. Nothing against the superstitions, that is the culture, but a superstition does not a bigfoot make
Terrorised does not seem to harsh a word? Villagers were terrified?
I'll keep my reservations on this one, I am interested to know what Indeed thinks of this.
Sorry, I don't mean to offend, obviously you believe, I do not. I think Johor was a disgraceful act.
If these sightings have any possible creedence, why have we no teams of scientists there meeting this new primate? It would send Tom Biscardi into a fainting spell. At the very least I am sure NG could offer a camera crew. I also read on GUST a couple years ago that a man had a Dragon in his shed - really! I take these stories with a large grain of salt. Especially third world countries that believe heavily in superstitions. Nothing against the superstitions, that is the culture, but a superstition does not a bigfoot make
Terrorised does not seem to harsh a word? Villagers were terrified?
I'll keep my reservations on this one, I am interested to know what Indeed thinks of this.
Actually I didn't feel offended and I'm not sure I believe either. I agree with you that the Johor was adisgraceful act it but such a negative blanket over possible credible incidents. However I must say I've been to Bhutan several times and the terrain and surrounding countryside could I think easily support many species of animals that might be seen only rarely if not at all!
QUOTE(Dante @ Jun 12 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]1720118[/snapback]
Actually I didn't feel offended and I'm not sure I believe either. I agree with you that the Johor was adisgraceful act it but such a negative blanket over possible credible incidents. However I must say I've been to Bhutan several times and the terrain and surrounding countryside could I think easily support many species of animals that might be seen only rarely if not at all!
I have to second that. I've never been to the North-Eastern states of India - it is not exactly a tourist hotspot, and rightly so. The terrain there is definitely rugged, mountainous and very difficult to access. Roads are few and far in between. Also, it rains for most of the year in those parts. Indigenous tribes that are native to these lands have long led an isolated existence. Also, considering India's population dispersion, these North-Eastern states are considerably less populated. There is quite a scope for plants and animals to exist that are yet undocumented.
Also, in the other thread started by SaRuMaN, I was not aware of this news until now. Today's major headline was an Englishman's refusal of coaching our national cricket team, which was rather uninteresting to be honest
. I'll search for some articles on this occurrence and post something if I come across anything. QUOTE(Dante @ Jun 12 2007, 06:50 PM) [snapback]1720118[/snapback]
Actually I didn't feel offended and I'm not sure I believe either. I agree with you that the Johor was adisgraceful act it but such a negative blanket over possible credible incidents. However I must say I've been to Bhutan several times and the terrain and surrounding countryside could I think easily support many species of animals that might be seen only rarely if not at all!
Strange isn't it, how the creature has reports from the Himalayas to tropical areas.
I just can't help thinking that with so many of these being seen it has to be misidentification after all these years. Johor kinda made me feel very confirmed in my opinion, so you are right, it did blanket credibility a bit. It just seems so unlikely that a species could evade detection so well with the level of technology currently available. The superstition angle has me hanging on to that salt shaker as well. I can't help but follow the story, but I am not expecting much after the last 40 years of fruitless searching.
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