 An interesting feature of the Andamans is the tribal people here. Some of the tribes are still very hostile, while the others have become friendly with the other people due to the changing times. There are four major tribes in the Andaman region.
The Great Andamanese (Strait Island)
The Onges (Little Andaman)
The Jarawas (South and Middle Andaman)
The Sentinelese (North Sentinel Island) |
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The Great Andamanese Tribe |
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This tribe was once dominated other tribes in Andaman in terms of population. Today, their numbers have decreased greatly. The government is making efforts to preserve the tribe. The tribals have been rehabilitated at Strait Island in Andaman. The great Andamanese are basically wanderers. Now they have become more civilized and can cook food using spices along with dal and chapatti. Sometimes they still go hunting pork, Andaman water monitor lizard, octopus, mollusks and other sea animals apart from the regular crab and fish. Now, they have also established poultry farms. They participate in group activities like games and dances. They make their own bows, arrows and boats for their needs. Due to the influence of the locals, the Great Andamanese have developed communicable diseases and unhealthy drinking habits.
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Onges are one of the oldest Indian tribes. They belong to the Negrito race. In Andaman, they are located in Little Andaman region. Their numbers are slowly decreasing. They are semi nomadic. They completely depend on Mother Nature for their food needs. They eat turtles, fish, roots and jackfruits. But now they have come in contact with the local people and have changed their way of living. The government has provided them homes, food, clothes and medicines. The Onges are good artists and craftsmen. They make their own canoes and venture into the sea. But now they have become more laid back and dependent. Their population is diminishing due to low reproduction rate.  |
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Jarawas are a tribe in Andaman living in South and Middle Andaman. They can be seen on the way to Baratang. They are warm and friendly. Earlier, they were very hostile towards the locals of Andaman. Their attitude changed after the government gifted them coconuts, bananas etc to maintain friendly relations with them. The change is seen today in their behavior with the tourists who specially go to their areas to meet them. They are a healthy tribe with smooth skin, curly hair and sturdy bone structure. They have a good physique which is fit for hunting and fishing. Jarawas are not a dependent tribe. They still hunt for a living. They are nomads engaged in hunting, fishing and gathering. Their food consists of wild boar, turtles, turtle eggs, crabs, pigs, fruits and honey. They use rafts to cross rivers. They are not fond of canoes like other tribes.  |
They do not communicate with any other tribes and live an aloof life. They are special as they are the world’s only Paleolithic group surviving without contact with the world. The Sentinelese is a part of the Onge Jarawa tribe. They have a separate identity due to their isolated existence. Due to their hostile attitude, not much is known about the tribe.
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