Irish influencer Dara Tah has faced heavy backlash after posting a viral TikTok video of his trip to Papua, where he claimed to encounter a “cannibal” tribe and the video showed him offering salt to a tribesman, describing the tense experience as “terrifying.” While his content often thrives on extreme adventures, this latest stunt has triggered a debate on the thin line between cultural exploration and exploitation.
What Happened in the Viral Video
In the video, the text read, “We found a cannibal tribe.” Tah and other travellers approached a riverbank in the jungle. Some tribesmen stood ready with bows and arrows, aiming them at the boat and the atmosphere quickly turned tense.
Tah remarked, “Seriously, this is terrifying… they’re huge bows.” Following his guide’s advice, he placed salt on his palm and offered it to one of the tribesmen. The man tasted it but spat it out immediately. Tah reacted nervously, saying, “Oh God, he doesn’t seem to like it. Okay guys, let’s step back.” Another traveller on the boat urged, “We have to move. We’re not welcome. It’s really dangerous.”
Dara Tah
Deep in the jungle of Papua pic.twitter.com/2ZmeH6SxUL— Florida Man World Order 📛🪽⛱️ (@_kevin1984) August 16, 2025
At the end of the clip, Tah admitted, “I’m not going to lie, that was absolutely terrifying.” His guide even apologised, saying, “I’m sorry I take you here.”
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Who Is Dara Tah?
Dara Tah is a content creator who aims to become “Ireland’s biggest YouTuber ever.” He has built his reputation around videos that put him in extreme and often dangerous situations and some of his other viral adventures include “Surviving in a Nuclear Bunker,” “Surviving on Snake Island,” and “Exploring the World’s Deadliest Island.”
Tah enjoys a wide following, with over 828,000 subscribers on YouTube and more than 750,000 followers on TikTok and his style thrives on high-risk storytelling, but critics argue that his recent Papua content crossed ethical boundaries.
Social Media Reactions
The video sparked outrage across social media. One user questioned, “Where’s the line between cultural exploration and exploitation?” Another remarked, “Sounds wild, but honestly, it’s not surprising he’s getting backlash. Those kinds of visits usually cross into exploitation and can put both the visitors and the tribe at risk.”
Others demanded respect for indigenous communities. “Some lines shouldn’t be crossed. Please have some respect,” another comment read.
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Tah may have succeeded in creating viral content once again, but the criticism suggests his brand of thrill-seeking storytelling could come at the cost of cultural sensitivity and safety.
