In 1936, a tribe of Hovitos helped French archaeologist René Emile Belloq, who spoke their language, track Indiana Jones and killed his treacherous guide Barranca after using him to lead them to the temple. When Belloq reclaimed the idol from Jones, he showed it off to his Hovitos hunting party, a distraction which allowed Jones to escape. The Hovitos gave chase but Jones made his getaway in Jock Lindsey's plane and Belloq stole the idol for himself.