I once watched on national geographic channel a documentary on one of the last discovered tribes…and they’re naked. I wondered if being naked came with being uncivilized. On the contrary, maybe they’re more culturally advanced, beyond the grasp of anyone’s modern-day idea of decency. But of course, this is me ‘assessing things’, from my side. I presume that to the “discovered tribe” the appearance of their discoverers, who showed up ridiculously covered with only their limbs and head exposed was threatening and must only be treated with hostile suspicion.
The explorers, who looked anything but friendly, had a lot of making-up to do in trust-winning considering that their only credential to show-for was that of their predecessors’ brief but fatal encounter with this tribe. Either, that, they were better at convincing this time or maybe the natives were just in a hospitable mood, their wish was granted when they were finally allowed into their community who never had an outsider as an observing guest, let alone a Caucasian.
Credit it to the wisely-chosen gifts they offered such as the jungle-handy machetes. But I think that what really convinced the tribesmen that these men’s intentions were peaceful–if being entertained was the only determining factor- was the photographs.
Ever-reliable, its ice-breaking, friend-winning qualities makes me wonder how the Philippine history would have been different. Most probably Magellan’s life would have been spared had photographs been available during his time. We have long since taken for granted, if not completely abandoned, the amazing simple visual pleasure of looking at one’s own image on a little piece of paper… An interesting part of the consciousness package is the ability to enjoy one’s own image…have you seen an orangutan in front of a mirror? But one obstacle any anthropologist must overcome, like in this particular situation, is how to take photos of your subjects who are suspicious of you and your motives, and on top of that, are known to be fierce warriors. Imagine yourself as the photographer trying to get them lined up (Communication will prove to be the least of your problems). Then you take out this hideous object and you aim it towards them. So far, Needless to say, this sequence does have an uncanny resemblance to one as being led to a summary execution… Now I realize that it was not for recognition, nor was it some kind of trophy for every white man who is included in the photographs of his native subjects. It was, plainly, a gesture of reassurance.
As if the ‘tree of knowledge’ became a man, one of the members of the expedition- upon seeing the naked men -frantically covered them and mumbled something about shame. For all they know, in the eyes of these naked men and women, the clothed men are the ones who do not know the meaning of shame. In the eyes of these naked men and women the clothed men and their purpose of being there is an utter blur.
Imagine reversing the situation just to have a glimpse of how they felt then.
Imagine it happening to me: A stranger- whose physical appearance I’ve only heard of in legends and folklores who were known to voraciously consume and steal resources from our land - approaches me and offered a gift, say a computer ( on basis of indispensability the computer is like a machete for a man in the forest) and food. Puzzled and confused I refused…naturally, especially on the food. To reassure me that his motives are pure he took some and ate it (All the while were communicating via hand signals and gestures). Then calmly, he retreated. Did I mention he was naked?
The next day he came back, this time he brought along with him companions who are from my own race but neither do they speak my language. Then one of them, horrified upon seeing me, rushed toward me but stopped at a safe distance and gesturing in panic something I could not figure out. Either he ran out of patience or just that the grave sin that I am committing has become so unbearable to his sight that upon realizing what he was trying to say he was already all over me frantically undressing me, wanting me to be completely undressed as quickly as possible as if racing time before a deity would take notice of my lifelong sin and zap me with a lightning.
Now…You cannot solely blame those natives for clubbing to death the members of the first expedition.
