Even though we never have had a Yeti-like encounter, we all know what Yeti is. From Scooby Doo, to Doctor Who and Adventures of Tintin, we all are familiar with this hairy, half-ape, half-human creature.
And now the Indian Army has created a curiosity among people around the world by sharing a tweet to its nearly six million followers on Monday, 29 April, that it had discovered "mysterious footprints of mythical beast 'Yeti' at the Makalu Base Camp [in the Himalayas]".
The findings reportedly come from a region located near the border of China and Nepal. Makalu is one of the highest peaks in the world and it has also been under research by many scientists studying the presence of the Yeti.
There is no evidence proving the Yeti exists but the myth retains a strong appeal in the region.
Many people, over many years, have claimed to have seen the Yeti, but did not have any proof. Since there is not much evidence about this "elusive snowman," the scientific community has called it a legend. If this half-ape and half-man creature has ignited much curiosity in you, here is what it is known as in different parts of the world and everything we know about this creature based on shows and cartoons.
Yeti Is Worshipped in Many Parts of the World
According to Nepali folklore, the Yeti is a half-human, half-ape creature who is taller than an average human and is believed to live in the cold, snow-clad areas like Himalayas, Siberia, Central and East Asia. This creature is worshipped in many parts of the world primarily by indigenous communities and it is a part of their history and mythology. Yeti is worshipped at the God of the Hunt.
Bigfoot
In North American folklore, Bigfoot or Sasquatch are said to be hairy, upright-walking, ape-like creatures that dwell in the wilderness and leave footprints. Depictions often portray them as a missing link between humans and human ancestors or other great apes. They are strongly associated with the Pacific Northwest (particularly Oregon, Washington and British Columbia), and individuals claim to see the creatures across North America. Over the years, these creatures have inspired numerous commercial ventures and hoaxes. The plural nouns 'Bigfoots' and 'Bigfeet' are both acceptable.
Many Cartoons and Shows Featuring Yeti
The popular cartoon show The Adventures of Tintin has featured Yeti. It is shown as a benevolent creature which "has certain human characteristics." Yeti is portrayed not as a wild animal, but as one that has a human soul.
Scooby Doo also featured Yeti where the characters Scooby and Shaggy encounter the ‘Abominable Snowman’ in the Himalayas.
In the long running science fiction British show, Doctor Who the Yeti are fictional robots. They were originally created by Henry Lincoln and Mervyn Haisman, and first appeared in the 1967 serial The Abominable Snowmen, where they encountered the Second Doctor and his companions Jamie and Victoria.
Episode of Scooby Doo Featuring Yeti
A special episode titled Hunt for the Yeti was released by the Travel Channel in 2016.
Any Scientific Reality to Explain Our Yeti of Fiction and Fantasy?
The scientist community has found little to no evidence of the Yeti's existence so far. In 2017, a group of international researchers studied multiple supposed Yeti hair samples and footprints collected from across the Himalayan region and concluded they belonged to bears.
In 2008, two men in the United States said they had found the remains of a Yeti-like creature, which was eventually revealed to be a rubber gorilla suit.
Although once some researchers matched DNA from hair samples found in the Himalaya with a prehistoric bear from the Pleistocene epoch.
But apart from this, it is all in the cartoons and legends.
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