When it comes to the mysteries of this planet, people unconsciously direct their thoughts toward Brazil and its magnificent Amazon rainforest. This is the largest pristine forest in the world, home to over 400 tribes, most of whom have not communicated with the outside world for more than five centuries.
However, the most mysterious tribe in the world today does not belong to the Amazon; it originates from Japan. This is the Ainu tribe, an indigenous group from the land of the Rising Sun. They have a very ancient history, with the Chinese people considered relatively young in comparison. Yet, the mystery surrounding this tribe is not due to their secluded lifestyle, but rather because science still… has no idea where the Ainu people came from.
The Most Mysterious Tribe in the World
Scattered across Hokkaido, northern Japan, with a population of about 30,000 people, the Ainu are a minority ethnic group known for their unique cultural identity.
Unlike the Japanese, the Ainu people have lighter skin, round and deep-set eyes, and slightly wavy hair. Ainu men typically have thick beards, hairy bodies, and tall statures. Overall, they bear closer physical similarities to modern Caucasian populations.
The origins of the Ainu remain a mystery. In Japanese history, the period from 10,000 to 400 BC is known as the Jomon period. The Jomon culture is regarded as the first significant indigenous culture of Japan. Many scholars believe that the Ainu are descendants of the Jomon people or are related to this ancient group. Research indicates that the skull structures and facial features of the Jomon and Ainu peoples are quite similar.
DNA samples taken from ancient bones also show that the Jomon shared many genetic similarities with the Ainu. In contrast, modern Japanese people are derived from a mixture of later migrating communities from the continent and the Jomon people.
The Ainu may be the oldest tribe in Europe and Asia.
The Ainu appeared in Japan and Russia around the 13th century BC. At that time, there was even a land bridge connecting America and Asia. To give you a sense of how ancient this tribe is, consider this: the oldest pyramids in Egypt were built around the 27th century BC. They almost did not interact with anyone except for other tribes that emerged around the same time. In other words, the Ainu may be the oldest tribe in Europe and Asia.
Historically, the Ainu resembled Europeans slightly and had some features similar to Mongolians. However, it is now difficult to distinguish an Ainu from modern Japanese residents. This is because the Ainu have often faced heavy discrimination in Japan, prompting them to intermarry with the indigenous Japanese to ensure the safety of their descendants.
Today, it is hard to distinguish an Ainu from modern Japanese residents.
Scientists and historians still do not have answers about the origins of the Ainu. Some hypotheses suggest a connection to Nordic people. Others propose links between the Ainu and the Jomon period, or that they originated from the Sea of Okhotsk (part of the Pacific) or are associated with various other cultural periods in Japan.
Strange Appearance and Customs
The Ainu have been described as resembling… a portrait of the great writer Lev Tolstoy
Ainu men traditionally wore long hair (many still do). They also sport long beards and never shave them.
Ainu women are notable for their unique tattoos, which they add to annually. Starting at the age of 6 or 7, they tattoo a line on their upper lip that is thickened over time. Thus, to the untrained eye, it may appear as if the entire tribe is wearing the smile of… the Joker (a character from DC Comics).
According to their beliefs, these tattoos serve as a ritual to protect women from evil spirits entering their bodies through the mouth. Additionally, when the tattoos are thickened to resemble a… smile, it signifies that a girl is ready for marriage. In the 19th century, such tattooing was banned by the Japanese provisional government, but some people continued to practice it secretly.
Ainu women’s tattoos are thickened to resemble a… smile.
The last Ainu woman to bear the “smile” tattoo passed away in 1998. However, during certain cultural events in Japan, some girls can still be seen with painted smiles on their faces, commemorating a once-thriving cultural practice.
In addition to the smile tattoos, Ainu women have several other distinctive tattoos designed to protect them from ailments and evil spirits.
When the Ainu first arrived on the islands of Japan, they lived by a model of: hunting, fishing, and gathering. They resided in unique huts known as chise. Although referred to as huts, they could be quite large, reaching up to 35m2 with a fireplace located in the center.
In Ainu culture, bears hold great significance as they are a primary source of food. This is why their spiritual customs largely revolve around bears. Even the mountain deity in Ainu culture is modeled after the shape of a bear.
The Birthplace of the Samurai, but Gradually Disappearing Over Time
Modern Japanese people owe a debt of gratitude to the Ainu for the emergence of Samurai culture. When the Japanese arrived and established their nation, the Ainu continued to live in tribes, occasionally “checking in” on neighbors using violent methods. Thus, after several centuries, the Japanese formed an army to protect the northern borders, laying the groundwork for Samurai culture.
Not long ago, the territory of the Ainu occupied a large portion of Hokkaido. However, by the end of the 19th century, the Japanese began to expand their territory. This led to numerous issues. On one hand, the Ainu retained their land, were exempt from taxes, and managed to establish schools and hospitals. On the other hand, many of their rituals (especially those involving violence) were prohibited. Consequently, many distinctive cultural traits of the Ainu began to fade. A tribe that had existed for thousands of years faced the risk of being assimilated and disappearing entirely.
Things only began to change in the 21st century, a period that witnessed the Ainu’s resurgence. In 2008, the Japanese government officially recognized the Ainu as a national ethnic group and encouraged an end to discrimination against them. In 2019, legislation concerning the Ainu was officially passed.
In fact, the Ainu have had a significant influence on modern Japanese culture. For instance, many words in Japanese grammar are derived from the Ainu language.
Ainu women today.
Currently, the remaining Ainu people are striving to restore their cultural uniqueness. They even have their own flag: a blue background symbolizing the sky and sea; a white arc representing snow; and a red arrow, symbolizing the poison traditionally used by the Ainu to attack enemies (which is now banned by the Japanese government).
A blue flag symbolizing the sky and sea.
