Living with the Tribes: The Adventures of Mark and Olly Season 1 Episode 1 Finding the Kombai Tribe

  • January 14, 2007

Living with the Tribes: The Adventures of Mark and Olly is a TV documentary series that follows two British adventurers, Mark Anstice and Olly Steeds, as they embark on a journey across remote locations around the world to live with indigenous tribes and experience their way of life.

In season 1 episode 1, titled "Finding the Kombai Tribe," Mark and Olly set out on their first adventure deep within the jungles of Papua, Indonesia, in search of the Kombai tribe, one of the most remote tribes on earth. The episode begins with the duo arriving in the city of Jayapura and promptly making their way to a local market to purchase supplies for the journey into the jungle. They then set off on a 15-hour motorbike ride through the lush rainforest, hoping to meet a guide who can lead them to the Kombai's home.

Once they arrive at the village of Mabul, they finally meet their guide, a young boy named Slow, who speaks a language completely foreign to them. With Slow's help, they start their journey through uncharted territory, crossing streams, and trekking through dense forest, coming across a range of wildlife, including pigs and snakes.

As they approach the Kombai village, they find it completely untouched by modern civilization, and the Kombai people live as their ancestors have for generations, building huts atop huge trees. Mark and Olly must carefully navigate the thin planks between the huts, suspended 60 feet above the ground.

From the series' first episode, we see that Mark and Olly are determined to live with the tribe, following their way of life and encountering the challenges that come with that. They share food with the tribe and learn about their customs, including their unique hunting methods and the way they fashion crude tools and weapons using basic resources found in their jungle surroundings.

The episode captures not only the physical challenges involved in traveling and living with primitive tribes but also the cultural and linguistic barriers that the duo must overcome. They often rely on hand gestures and drawings to communicate with the Kombai tribe members since they don't speak their language.

In summary, season 1 episode 1 of Living with the Tribes: The Adventures of Mark and Olly, "Finding the Kombai Tribe," delivers a thrilling and awe-inspiring journey into the depths of the Indonesian jungle, where viewers will witness Mark and Olly's true grit and determination as they immerse themselves in the Kombai community, learning their traditions, and sharing their daily life activities for an extended period.

This episode doesn't appear to be available from any streaming services, but watch free movies on Watch Now
Add this show to your Watchlist to get notified when new episodes are available.
Description
  • First Aired
    January 14, 2007
  • Language
    English