Rochom P’ngieng, Cambodian ‘jungle woman’ flees back to wild. She disappeared back into the jungle and search efforts have not been going well. Read more and see video of her here.
Rochom P’ngieng, known as the Cambodian ‘jungle woman’ has fled back into the jungle after a few years of attempted integration.
The jungle girl, and her sister went missing in 1989, while heading buffalo. Her sister was never found, but back in 2007 this young animalistic woman emerged from the jungle. Her family identified her from a scar on her arm, and refused DNA testing.
Experts believe that it may not have been Rochom P’ngieng, instead a woman who was held captive, as it is unlikely an 8 year old would be able to survive alone in the jungle that long.
Rochom’s family tried to integrate her into society, but she struggled. She preferred to crawl, did not like to wear clothes, and struggled to learn the language. She attempted to escape several times, and was finally successful on Tuesday. The family believes that her disappearance is a curse from “forest spirits” and is saving for an offering which a fortune teller ensured him will get her back. That consists of “an offering of one wild ox, one pig, one chicken and four jugs of wine.”
So readers what are your thoughts? Could this jungle girl be long lost Rochom P’ngieng? Or is it another woman who was held captive? My thinking is, if she was held captive, why would she go back, but at the same time – how could an 8 year old survive. It is a crazy, heart breaking story, that is for sure. Please leave me your thoughts below. Pictures of Rochom P’ngieng Cambodian jungle girl can be found here, while video is posted below.
October 5th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
well i am cambodian and black.