People of Andaman and Nicobar

People of Andaman and Nicobar constitute the inhabitants who came from far off places and settled in the region by forming colonies. Apart from this, a large number of immigrants too add up to the population of the Andaman and Nicobar inhabitants.

People of Andaman and Nicobar are basically the tribal people who occupied the islands amid the evergreen forests, beautiful beaches and striking islands. A large number of ethnicities constitute the population of the islands that belong to the groups of both African and Mongolian origin. Some of the groups still continue their ancient ways of living, wherein a lot of people depend solely on fishing. Moreover, you can also find the descendants of the prisoners who were brought down with regard to penal measures.

Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar

The people of Andaman and Nicobar are classified in two groups, namely: 'indigenous' or aborigines and 'immigrants' or settlers. During the era before 1858, it is believed that the Andaman Islands were occupied by people of Autochthon origin. However, with the establishment of penal settlement at Port Blair after Indian Mutiny, people of non-autochthons group too came and inhabited the islands.

Basically, the natives of Andaman and Nicobar islands are classified into two separate populations, namely The 'Negrito' and 'Shompen'. The technological developments help to classify the local tribes as the 'hunters' and 'gatherers' or 'primitive' and 'horticulturists'. These are the diverse cultures that existed separately and peacefully for a very long period in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and have successfully maintained their identity till date.

Natives of Andaman Islands

The natives that are the indigenous people of Andaman Island and Nicobar consist of the following tribes:

The Great Andamanese people - The Great Andamanese tribe that inhabited on the Strait Island before the penal Settlement in Andaman Islands is the largest tribe of the region. However, diseases like influenza took a very big toll of the population where only 40-45 individuals have remained so far. Though the administrative authorities made arrangements of houses for the Andamanese people, free ration and clothes and even raised coconut plantation, these people now live on activities like hunting and fishing.

The Onges Tribe - Onges are the primitive tribes that inhabited the Andaman Island. People of this group usually indulge in activities like hunting and gathering and are found at the Dugong Creek and South Bay of Andaman Island. For the welfare of this tribe, coconut plantation, medical facilities and free ration arrangements have been specially given by the administrative authorities. At present, the population of this community is believed to be around 105 people, wherein the people usually indulge in activities like hunting and fishing.

The Jarawas Tribe - The Jarawas people settled on the western coast of middle Andaman and southern Andaman islands are aggressive in nature. To befriend the people of this tribe, the administrative authorities of Andaman & Nicobar Administration have begun periodic contact expeditions since 1974. Jarawas people do hunting of wild pigs and monitor lizards by using bows and arrows. They use iron made arrows which they acquire from the iron pieces and the drift material available at the sea shore. However, they do not make use of dogs in hunting unlike the Onges and the Andamanese people.

The Sentinelese Tribe - The Sentinelese people are hostile like the Jarawas and continue to be cynical about the outside people. For example: to the contact expedition team as well.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is full of people coming from myriad of cultures, however tribal people draw maximum attention of tourists.