Geographical survey »                                      The people »

The tribes »

    Andamanese »                 Onge »                    Jarawa »    

   Sentinelese »                    Shompen »           Nicobarese »



Geographical survey

The Andaman Islands, located in the eastern part of Bay of Bengal, consists of four main and some 200 small islands. Formerly under the British administration, these islands, together with the Nicobar Islands, now form one of India’s six union territories.

The four main islands of Andaman are divided into two groups called Great Andaman and Little Andaman. Great Andaman consists of three large islands - North Andaman, Middle Andaman, and South Andaman, though at times, they are referred to as one island intersected by narrow, irregular channels. Little Andaman is a smaller island located some distance to the south of the main group.

The total geographical area of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 8249 sq km and that of Andaman alone is 6408 sq km, with a maximum width of 52 km.

The ecological setting is basically that of a tropical rain forest. The land is covered with dense tropical foliage, with the daily temperature varying little throughout the year, averaging about 30 degrees C. There are two seasons -- the wet or monsoon season, from mid-May to mid-November, and the dry season, from mid-November to mid-May. Rainfall is heavy and, depending on the location, averages 264 to 437 cm annually.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were originally occupied by primitive tribes. But, during the colonisation of India, ‘Indian convicts’ were deported to the islands in large numbers to start a penal settlement, which came into being in 1856.

After India became independent in 1947, the islands, yet again saw more Indians surging in, only this time, it was refugees, victims of partition. The initial influx of convicts brought along further western contacts, which resulted in rapid cultural disintegration and decline of the population. From an estimated population of about 5,000, there were perhaps 2,000 Andaman Islanders left by 1901. By the 1950s, there remained less than 700 inhabitants in both the Great and Little Andaman groups.

The people

The islands have a mixed population of a) tribal people who are native to the islands and b) people who come from other states of India. The tribal people are divided into 12 or 13 "tribes" or tribal units, most of who differ mainly in dialect. On the basis of more pronounced linguistic and cultural differences, these tribes are usually clustered into two major groups correlating roughly with the main geographical division, namely a Great Andaman Group and a Little Andaman Group.

The Tribes

Tribes of the islands belong to two different races. In the Andaman district, there are the Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges and the Sentilese, whereas in the Nicobar district, there are the Nicobarese and Shompens.

Of the six scheduled tribes in the islands, all five, except Nicobarese, are classified as primitive tribes.

Andamanese

Once, the largest tribal group, the Andamanese became the first victims of colonization and development of the islands. Now, there are just 45 of them left on earth and to think that in 1858 there were 4,800 of them living on the islands.

Unfortunately, it was the Government’s efforts in 1863 to bring the tribal people out of the jungle that hurt the tribal population the most. The inhabitants contracted diseases when they were put up at the Andamanese Homes set up by the government.

Onge

The Onges, belonging to the Negrito race, have been in contact with the civilization for more than 100 years. Still, the traditional tribal rites and rituals stay intact and they even now survive on fishing and hunting. It is quite shocking to find that the current population of Onge is just 96. The massive clearance of primary forests and construction of roads, helipads and jetties, as part of the Little Andaman master plan to bring 25,000 hectares under agriculture and plantations has proved detrimental to the tribal people. A 1972 study showed that infant and child mortality rate among Onge was 40 per cent. But, what was more appalling was that 42.1 per cent of their women were sterile.

To ensure the Onges’ well being, the administration has embarked upon new programs, such as setting up the Onge multipurpose co-operative society, of which the Onge chief is the president and all others, members. Apart from this, they are provided with permanent houses and free ration and clothes.

Jarawa

The Jarawas currently number around 280. Historically, they had kept their distance from British and Indian invaders, and hence, they were pushed away from the better watered east coast area and had to settle in the Jarawa resort, which is known for its western drainages of south and middle Andaman.

The most serious threat to the Jarawa today is the ever increasing human pressure on the islands and the continued encroachment on their territory.

Sentinelese

The Sentineleses inhabit the north Sentinel Island in the Andaman district. Though they are a self-reliant tribe of people having plenty of forest resources to keep them going, it unfortunately does not show on their population. The estimated figure of inhabitants is barely hundred. The Sentinelese’ are known for their hostility towards outsiders and they prefer to remain in total isolation.

Shompen

The Shompens, who inhabit different terrains of Great Nicobar Island in the Nicobars district thrive on horticulture, fishing and gathering. But, the population is just 250.

Nicobarese

The Nicobarese, inhabiting 12 of the 22 islands in the Nicobars district, constitute the largest group among tribals and is moderately advanced. They own coconut plantations as well as vegetable gardens and copra (a coconut produce) is their main source of income.

The Nicobarese, unlike other tribals, are receiving education and have also started entering government services.

About 98 per cent of the Nicobarese belong to Protestant sect of Christianity and even have the Bible translated into their tongue. Moreover, they observe usual Christian festivals such as Christmas, All Soul Day and Good Friday with the same passion that they show for their raditional ‘pig fight’.