Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Photographer Documented An Indigenous Tribe With Strange Genetic Fluke That Causes Their Eyes To Turn Blue
Indonesia is a very special country. The Indonesian Archipelago consists of over 17,000 islands. It is considered to be the world's largest island country. Having so many little islands, it is a melting pot of culture. There, over 700 different languages are spoken.
And look at what the melting pot has boiled up on the small island of Buton. Some indigenous people there have a strange genetic fluke known as Waardenburg syndrome, which may cause hearing loss, and in this case, dazzling, piercing, electric blue eyes that remind us of Frank Herbert's Fremen from Dune. As you can see, it can even affect a single eye, making them heterochromatic.
More info: Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Darwinist 5 years ago
Especially if he put some stun powder on that arrow
Load More Replies...
Aragorn II Elessar 5 years ago
You’re perfect the way you are; everyone is
Load More Replies...Korchnoi Pasaribu, a geologist and a hobby photographer who hails from the Indonesian island of Java himself, has managed to capture the hypnotic eyes of these tribespeople and share them on his Instagram. It isn't the first tribe that he ever visited, but it may be the most unique one. How often do you see people from the Pacific that have eyes as blue as this? The chances of being affected by this syndrome are 1 in 42,000. Count the odds of stumbling upon a few of those in a single small tribe. It's like finding a gem, but in this case, the gem is in someone's eyes.
RELATED:
#2
Waardenburg syndrome may affect only a single eye.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
Stunning photograph! I love how their piercing blue eye contrasts against the red scarf.
#3
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 5 years ago
even if they didn't have their blue, their eyes are still freaking amazingly beautiful.
Korchnoi told Bored Panda about the circumstances of his photoshoot. "I've known them since 2019, but I only went to photograph them now on September 17, 2020. I was very happy to [finally] take pictures of them." He's also done a few "themed" shots regarding ecology and the environment, which speaks powerfully through the eyes of the subject.
#4
#5
The internet is in awe, and the photos have been shared and published far and wide. Show your support for this unique photographer by following his Instagram, where you can find even more pictures of the indigenous people of Indonesia from many other tribes. Rev up your Dune, White Walker, and other references, and share with us what you think.
#6
#7
Haroon Hussein 5 years ago
yeah. it is a photograph and the leaf is intentional. It looks beautiful.
#8
#10
Aragorn II Elessar 5 years ago
The photo order changes over time with the upvotes and downvotes. A specification would be helpful to people attempting to identify the photo to which you are referring.
Load More Replies... #11
Jane Gould Salim 5 years ago
Why do all the kids look so upset? They're all crying in all of the pictures.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
The syndrome they have that makes their eyes blue also affects other facial features if you look up Waardenburg syndrome. That might account for some of the seeming “sadness“.
Load More Replies...
#12
Aragorn II Elessar 5 years ago
Bitch, why you sticking a plant in front of my face?
Load More Replies...
Cedric Mitchell 4 years ago
why tf yall got me holdin a damn plant yall got my damn hands dirty
#14
Editor's note: the breathing mask is used for artistic purposes.
tilly kate 5 years ago
i think this picture might be raising awareness for deforestation in Indonesia
Load More Replies...
#15
Editor's note: the breathing mask is used for artistic purposes.
Grinning Goat 5 years ago
The photographer seems to want to be seen as a environmental Saint, bringing awareness to people appearing exotic and wild to western eyes while making an environmental statement. By showing the world these unique people, who are only so because of their recent isolation from the rest of the world, and by telling the other want-to-be saints where those people dwell.... the photographer has pretty much assured a faster demise of both the people, their culture and their environment once all the Hollywood hipsters race for want to be the first to be photographed with them, employ them to make sustainable hemp sandals, hammocks and be the entertainment at their soon to be tribal hut bungalow resort for the rich. Mayne they could cuddle with them for a model's photoshoot or send one of the tribesmen to Paris to become a high fashion celebrity. Sorry to break it to everyone that way but, it always happens that way, doesn't it.
Tara A. 3 years ago
Don't forget that also their immune systems are much weaker so if we make them sick it could be really bad. Yes, I agree that they're much better off left alone.
Load More Replies... Add New Image
What do you think ?
Angela Britt 5 years ago
I think these people looked terrified of having their pics taken. Some even look like they are tearing up.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
They could have left if they werw terrified. And the genetic condition they have that effects the colour of their eyes also effects how the eyes look apparently. Their faces might just be this way always.
Load More Replies... Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
Might have wanted to include more information about those with one browneye, one blue and those with medical apparatus related to breathing. The people are stunning.
Tien 5 years ago
Having different colored eyes is a condition called heterochromia. Many (but not all!) people with Waardeburg syndrome have heterochromia. Also having a white lock of hair on the front side is very common to go with this condition
Load More Replies... 
Kristie Mccullough 5 years ago
No people, it's not Photoshop. Just look up this Waardenburg syndrome images for yourself. You will see.
David K 5 years ago
Poor people. Why? Because they are apparently impacted by Waardenburg syndrom type II that causes heterochromia (you can see that on the photos) in 90% of cases associated with mild to severe loss of hearing.
Alex T 5 years ago (edited)
hearing loss isn't too bad, once you have it you get used to it, and there are devices to help hard of hearing people hear, and though having hearing loss is a challenge that at least me personally wished others were more aware of, there's no need for pity, we still have a good life :)
Load More Replies...
MantisKeeper 5 years ago
I love how the leaves in the photos contrast with the people's eyes. Stunning.
lailyfnoor 5 years ago
Wow, so beautiful. The bright-blue eye(s) really complements their complexion. So exotic!
Claire Mellish 11 months ago
This photographer sucks. The anger, fear, and discomfort on these people's faces is obvious. He just had to do his little contrived photoshoot, complete with a cheesy message about the earth and making the tribal people ambassador's of the "natural" world. I'll tell you what they were to him: props. This was all about him and his art, not about the people. It was uncomfortable to look at these photos.
Angela Britt 5 years ago
I think these people looked terrified of having their pics taken. Some even look like they are tearing up.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
They could have left if they werw terrified. And the genetic condition they have that effects the colour of their eyes also effects how the eyes look apparently. Their faces might just be this way always.
Load More Replies... Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
Might have wanted to include more information about those with one browneye, one blue and those with medical apparatus related to breathing. The people are stunning.
Tien 5 years ago
Having different colored eyes is a condition called heterochromia. Many (but not all!) people with Waardeburg syndrome have heterochromia. Also having a white lock of hair on the front side is very common to go with this condition
Load More Replies... Kristie Mccullough 5 years ago
No people, it's not Photoshop. Just look up this Waardenburg syndrome images for yourself. You will see.
David K 5 years ago
Poor people. Why? Because they are apparently impacted by Waardenburg syndrom type II that causes heterochromia (you can see that on the photos) in 90% of cases associated with mild to severe loss of hearing.
Alex T 5 years ago (edited)
hearing loss isn't too bad, once you have it you get used to it, and there are devices to help hard of hearing people hear, and though having hearing loss is a challenge that at least me personally wished others were more aware of, there's no need for pity, we still have a good life :)
Load More Replies... MantisKeeper 5 years ago
I love how the leaves in the photos contrast with the people's eyes. Stunning.
lailyfnoor 5 years ago
Wow, so beautiful. The bright-blue eye(s) really complements their complexion. So exotic!
Claire Mellish 11 months ago
This photographer sucks. The anger, fear, and discomfort on these people's faces is obvious. He just had to do his little contrived photoshoot, complete with a cheesy message about the earth and making the tribal people ambassador's of the "natural" world. I'll tell you what they were to him: props. This was all about him and his art, not about the people. It was uncomfortable to look at these photos.
Related on Bored Panda
