Deep in the remote savannas of northern Tanzania, the Hadza tribe — one of the last true hunter-gatherer societies on Earth — lives as their ancestors did thousands of years ago. Among their many survival skills is the ancient and controversial practice of hunting monkeys, a tradition passed down through generations. To witness, or even join, a Hadza hunt is to step back in time.
At dawn, Hadza men gather with handmade bows and poison-tipped arrows, ready to track their prey. They move silently through the bush, reading the land with astonishing skill. Their eyes scan the treetops for movement, listening for the rustle of leaves or the warning calls of birds that signal monkeys nearby.
When a monkey is spotted, the hunt becomes a game of patience and precision. A well-aimed arrow can bring down the animal quickly. The Hadza waste nothing. The monkey is skinned, cleaned, and cooked over an open fire, often on the very spot where it was caught. The aroma of wood smoke and roasting meat fills the air as the tribe prepares to share the meal.
Cooking is simple but communal. The meat is roasted on sticks or placed directly on the coals. Elders and children gather, eating together with hands, telling stories and passing on knowledge. To the Hadza, this is not just food — it is survival, culture, and identity.
While the practice may seem shocking to outsiders, for the Hadza, hunting monkeys is part of a sustainable way of life in balance with nature. As modern pressures threaten their land and traditions, witnessing their customs reminds us of the deep connection between humans, the wild, and the skills that once kept us all alive.
