First contact

Also called: initial contact

First contact has repeatedly been followed by disaster. Isolated peoples lack immunity to illnesses such as influenza and measles, and epidemics have killed large parts of newly contacted groups. Contact has also brought violence and loss of land. For these reasons, most experts and several governments now follow a policy of no contact unless the people themselves seek it.

Related words

Answers that use this word

• Do uncontacted tribes still exist, and how many are there?
• Why should uncontacted peoples be left alone?
• Who are the Sentinelese?

Lessons that use this word

• Uncontacted peoples and voluntary isolation