Natives[]
"Natives" is the generic term for the local indigenous tribes that live in the area around the island on small island nations of Polynesian and Papuan aborigines somewhere in the castaways’ proximity. These tribes worship a number of gods, possibly deified ancestors, and practice a number of rites including cannibalism, head-hunting and a practice resembling the Voodoo rites of the Caribbean Sea.
Because of the possible limited number of islands in the region, it is very likely several of the natives encountered by the Castaways came from common islands. Some of these islands were populated by hostiles against foreign invaders and potential enemies. Others collected the heads of foreign enemies ("head-hunters") out of religious belief. One of the first tribes the castaways encountered were a race of cannibals who (allegedly) heard their musical overtures and believed it to be a prelude to an attack. Invading the island, they forced the castaways into a cave, but due to their primitive nature, they were momentarily pushed back three times by their unfamiliarity with radios, flashlights and fire extinguishers. The Professor, Skipper and Mr. Howell were captured each time, but the Professor must have broke the language barrier between them because the two "tribes" ended up separating on friendly terms. (Music Hath Charms)
It is possible the chief of this tribe may be the same chief who next appeared to the Castaways searching for a consort for his plus-sized daughter. The girl ended up choosing Gilligan, leading to further genial relations between the islands, but the union was intervened by the arrival of Haruki, a warrior coming to claim the girl as his own bride. (Gilligan's Mother-in-Law)
It is unknown if Haruki was any relation to the Witch Doctor, who he resembled. Possibly upset over the castaways disturbing burial grounds in a cave on the island, he torments them with Voodoo curses and entrances the Professor, who he may have believed to be their equivalent of a shaman. When Gilligan turns his spells on him, he flees the island by swimming out through the lagoon. (Voodoo)
The Castaways are next menaced by separate waves of invading warriors. One tribe announces their arrival by pounding on drums, but they are driven back by the hallucinogenic effects of Gilligan's herbal medicine. (Topsy-Turvy)
The next wave is an advance landing party of Kupaki warriors coming to visit their local sacred grounds on the island marked by a totem pole. Taking everyone captive, they are driven back by Gilligan posing as their long-dead king. (High Man on the Totem Pole)
The Castaways also make peaceful relations with Kilani of the Matoba and her tribe after Gilligan rescues her from drowning in the lagoon. Men from Kilani's tribe, Ugundi and two others, eventually come looking for her and revere Gilligan so much they consider him a god after he seemingly dies, but after he wakes up, they flee the island in a panic. (Slave Girl)
The most interesting native the castaways encounter is King Kaliwani from a local Papuan tribe. Friendly to the castaways and white men as a result of the cargo ships near his island, he has picked up several American colloquiums as well as a deep trust in white men. However, he is easily frustrated. While trying to make Gilliana his bride, he flees in terror after discovering her hair and clothes and believing he has angered his gods. (Gilligan the Goddess)
Gilligan and the castaways also find a high presence of native relics from the Marubi tribes on their island, including native masks from a cave, a tiki statue of the god Kona, a gem from the statue of Metuzar and a native Kupaki totem pole with the faces of prominent chiefs and warriors of the region.
Episode(s)[]
- Gilligan the Goddess
- Gilligan's Mother-in-Law
- High Man on the Totem Pole
- How to Be a Hero
- Music Hath Charms
- Slave Girl
- Three to Get Ready
- Two on a Raft
- Voodoo
- Waiting for Watubi