Yeti

The harsh environment of the Himalayan mountains of northern India, Nepal and Tibet is the alleged home range of the Yeti, a hairy biped (walks on two legs) equivalent to the North American Bigfoot. Yetis, however, vary in description of size, color and features from small ape-like animals to hairy giants labeled “Abominable Snowmen”. The “hairy man of the snows” is part of the native Sherpa folklore. Visiting explorers have reported footprints and sightings of living creatures.

Cryptozoologists propose that the Yeti, just like Bigfoot and other “ape man” creatures, are living specimens of Gigantopithecus, a prehistoric ape. However, there is no evidence that Gigantopithecus lived later than about 400,000 years ago. It’s more likely that sightings of the Yeti are mistaken identifications.

Yeti Scalps

What might have been excellent evidence to support the existence of the legendary yeti, specimens of yeti scalps proved to have a much less remarkable origin. Three expeditions to the Himalayas from the mid 1900’s examined or obtained ceremonial objects from monasteries (religious residences), which supposedly were the skin and attached hair from a yeti head. The shape was cone-like – pointed on top. Scientific examination showed the skin was from a local goat-like animal instead.

However, the fact that the Tibetan people would construct such an object shows that they honor the creature (called yeh-teh or various other names) in their society. Stories exist of genuine preserved yeti fingers, hands or whole bodies. They turn out to be those of a bear or human.

Samples of hair underwent DNA analysis. Supposedly the hair was not from a bear, a human or any other known animal but of primate origin. In order for this extraordinary claim to be taken seriously by scientists, the sample must be retested and the results published in a scientific journal for all to see.

REALITY CHECK: Current evidence is not strong enough to support the idea that an unknown primate exists in the Himalayas. It is fair to suggest that that Yeti is a creature of myth among the people, revered in a spiritual identity and important to them. New evidence may yet be found but until then, the Yeti will remain a cryptozoological mystery, closed from scientific interest.

MORE INFORMATION:

The Unmuseum: The Yeti – Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas

Abominable Snowman: Official Site

Abominable Snowmen: Legend Come To Life (book) by Ivan T. Sanderson

YOUR TURN:

• What do you think it means that the holy relics of the “Yeti” turned out to be made from common animals? What does that say about the Sherpa culture?
• What color did you think the Yeti was? Why did you think that? How is the Yeti portrayed in popular culture?