Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Suku Mante (Mante Tribe) remains one of the most mysterious tribes, living somewhere in the vast forests of Aceh, Indonesia. Believed to have lived in the remote area of Aceh for over 3,000 years before the Common Era, they were thought to be the ancestors of the other tribes in the region.
The Mante are very distinct from typical humans in several ways. They are smaller in stature, with an average height ranging between 90 to 100 centimeters, earning them the label of “dwarfs.” Mante people are often described as dwarfs, having feet that are wider at the toes, fair skin, muscular bodies, thick body hair, square faces, and eyebrows that meet at the bridge of the nose.
The Mante Tribe is believed to be scattered across the vast forests of Aceh, including Aceh Besar, East Aceh, Pidie, and the Gayo Highlands. They are thought to share ancestral ties with the Batak, Gayo, and Alas tribes.
The name “Mante” was first introduced by Dutch anthropologist Snouck Hurgronje in his book De Atjehers. In his writing, “Mante” is translated to mean foolish or childish behavior. Hurgronje also mentioned that the Mante Tribe resided in the hills of Mukim XXII.
Tari Topeng, The Enchanting Mask Dance of Cirebon
According to legend, a pair of Mante people were once captured and brought before the Sultan (King) of Aceh. However, they refused to speak and rejected the food and water offered to them. Eventually, both individuals died, prompting the Sultan to issue a decree forbidding anyone from bringing members of the Suku Mante out of the forest if encountered.
Suku Mante leads a nomadic lifestyle, constantly moving through the wilderness, which makes them nearly impossible to locate. They live in caves or mountain crevices, avoiding contact with the outside world and preferring to remain hidden deep within the forests.
Tracking the Mante is exceptionally difficult, as their movements have never been captured by cameras set up by conservationists or environmental activists. However, the tribe suddenly gained attention on the internet after a video showed a small figure caught on camera, sprinting through tall grass and disappearing. The figure recorded in the video meets the criteria of the people from Suku Mante, fueling speculation that the tribe still exists in Aceh.
However, the Mante remain shrouded in mystery, considered one of the oldest tribes in the westernmost province of Indonesia, yet with no concrete evidence confirming their existence.
(Raidi/Agung)
