Tribes of Andamans!

There is a story behind every person. There is a reason why the way they are. Think about that and respect them for who they are. - Marc and Angel

The nomadic tribes of the Andamans have a lot to offer, from great history where they fought with just mere bows and arrows with the British, to today, where they have adjusted themselves to the modern world. But, thankfully, the Andaman and Nicobar
Administration are always on the lookout for the nomadic and indigenous tribes of our country. These aborigines have always been living normal lives, with simple activities like hunting and fishing.

Several friendly formations have been made by the government to uplift these vanishing tribes of our country. The four indigenous tribes, The Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas and Sentinelese have a population of around 500 in total according to the 2001 census.

Two of these tribes still believe in going the conventional way of for searching food and creating roofs, while the other two have received help from the government. All the tribes receive gifts from time to time from the Contact Party, with whom they are friendly.

We as Indians should be proud of these infamous tribes of our nation who fought bravely when needed to protect the motherland and stood strong with every source available to them.

The Great Andamanese

The tribals, Great Andamanese are famous for their heroic history in the past. They fought with bows and arrows against the British who tried to inhabit their land. ‘The Battle of Aberdeen’ is one of the most infamously famous battles in history where the Great Andamanese with a soldier count of 400-600 fought with the English men with modern equipment. 14th May 1859 was the day when this battle took place and turned history for the Great Andamanese where they fought with arrows and spearheads.

Today, the Andaman Government has set up a statue for the sacrifice of the courageous and valiant soldiers on the Sea Shore of Marina Park. The memorial brings the glimmer of the first freedom movement to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

According to the census of 2001, the population of the Great Andamanese is only 43!

Currently, the Great Andamanese tribe is established on Strait Island by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. This was the most prominent tribe before the Establishment of Penal settlement in the Andaman Islands. Diseases like influenza, dengue, etc., took a huge charge on the demographic and was reduced to 43 individuals in the 2001 census.

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has raised Coconut plantations for the encouragement and upliftment of the Great Andamanese. The Administration has even provided houses, and free rations, which include clothing also.

Today, the Great Andamanese are no longer a nomadic tribe, but they still go back to their roots of fishing and hunting once in a while.

Onges

Considered one of the most ancient tribes in India, the Onges population stands at 96 as per the census of 2001. They have occupied the Litle Andaman Island, just like the Great Andamanese, the Onges also leave their nests for occasional hunting and fishing.

They are also called the hunting and gathering tribe and have been settled by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration at Dugong Creek and South Bay on Little Andaman Island. Coconut plantation has been raised by the administration and free medical care, ration and clothing are also provided from time to time.

Jarawas

Unlike the Great Andamanese and Onges, Jarawas have continued hunting and gathering activities like their ancestors. This nomadic tribe hunts monitor lizards, wild pigs, etc., with bows and arrows. The tips of their arrows are made of iron. Men of the Jarawas community fish with bows and arrows in the coastal waters while women collect the fish with the help of baskets.

Molluscs are their major staple fish food. The Great Andamanese and Onges use dogs for hunting activities, but Jarawas stick to their regular routines of iron heads. The Jarawas collect roots, fruits and honey from the forest area and build temporary huts
while they camp in any jungle area. From the available resources in the forest, they use crude rafts to cross creeks and streams.

Presently, the Jarawas have established themselves on the Western Coast of Middle Andaman and South Andaman Islands. They are antagonistic sometimes and set foot in areas where the Bengalis and others have been settled by the Government. The Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have started Contact Expeditions periodically to Jarawas to befriend the nomadic tribe.

In 1974, the first affable attempt was made and since then the Jarawas are not hostile to the Contact Team, which often offers gifts like bananas, coconuts and other ration materials.

As per the census of 2001, the population of Jarawas is 240.

Sentinelese

With the lowest population count in the 2001 census, Sentinelese stands at just 39. The Sentinelese nomadic tribe have established themselves on the small North Sentinel Island. Like the priors, the Jarawas, this tribe is also hostile to outsiders

On 4th January 1991, the first-ever friendly contact was made with the Sentinelese tribe by the former Director of Tribal Welfare Shri S.A. Awaradi with the help of the Contact Team of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. It was a breakthrough moment in history. The Sentinelese have started accepting gifts from that day from the Contact Party, but they are still sceptical about the outsiders including the Contact Expedition Team.

Like the Jarawas, the Sentinelese have also continued fishing, and hunting and they are also called the nomadic gathering tribe. This tribe find themselves hunting in the coastal waters with bows and arrows while hunting wild pigs on North Sentinel Island.

Sentinelesehave dug-out Canoe, which they use to travel in the shallow coastal waters. Their Canoes are propelled with long poles as they do not have oars. This nomadic tribe of Andamans also build temporary huts in their camps and they do not wear any kind of clothing.