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THE GREAT ANDAMANESE
They
are once the largest in population among the various tribes inhabiting the
Andaman Islands. Their estimated population in 1789 was
10,000. By 1901, their number had decreased to 625 and by 1969 their
number had decreased to 19 only. According to the Census of 1971, only 24
of them survived, but by 1999, their number has increased to 41.
The Administration is doing its best to protect and preserve these
tribes. These tribals have been rehabilitated in a small island named
Strait Island. The Great Andamanese are foragers. Today, they eat rice,
Dal, Chapati and other modern food articles. They can cook food with the
ingredients of spices. At times, they still go in for hunting and
gathering.
Actually, their traditional food items are Fish, Dugong, Turtle, Turtle
Eggs, Crabs, Roots and Tubers. They also eat Pork, Andaman Water Monitor
Lizard, etc. As aquatic people, they relish Octopus, Molluses taken out
from shell marine animals like Turban Shell, Scorpion Shell, Sundial,
Helmet, Trochus and Screw Shell besides various types of Crabs and Fish.
Some of them cultivate vegetables. Of late, they have established poultry
farms too. They are exposed to highly communicable diseases besides
unhealthy drinking habits, which of course are acquired after contact with
the Monbund urban dominant and advanced communities.
ONGE
Onges
are one of the most primitive tribes in India. They belong to the Negrito
racial stock and they have been relegated to the reserved pockets both at
Dugong Creek and South Bay of Little
Andaman Island. They are also diminishing in number. They live in a
remote corner of the country in a small pocket. This semi-nomadic tribe is
fully dependent on the food provided by nature.
They have now experienced the impact of outsiders. At the same time
efforts at befriending them have proved to be successful. They have been
provided with Pucca hut type houses, food, clothes, medicines, etc. by the
Administration. Their cuisine include Turtle, Fish, Roots and Jack Fruits,
etc.
They have also developed their artistry and craft. The Onges are experts
in canoe making. A primary school has been functioning at the Dugong Creek
settlement of Onges. This tribe has become laid back and dependent in
their ways. Also their rate of reproduction has become very low.
JARAWAS 
The
Jarawas, who shifted from their original homes when land was cleared to
built Fort Blair, now reside on the northwestern coasts of
Middle and South Andaman,
hemmed in by the Andaman Trunk Road, which since 1970's have cut them off
from hunting grounds and fresh water supplies.
Jarawas are now friendly and voluntary seek medical assistance. They do
not have good canoes but are excellent raft builders, which they build to
cross the streams. The year 1974 was a landmark in the history of Jarawas.
Dropping of gifts was done in February and March 1974. After establishing
this friendly mission with the Jarawas, the contact party of the
Administration quite often met the Jarawas and gave them gift items like
Banana, Coconut and other fruits.
Shaking Hands With The Civilised World
With the passage of time, the behavioral pattern of Jarawas changed. Till
the beginning of 1998, they remained hostile, but now they are coming out
of the jungle quite often and are becoming friendlier. For nearly a year
there is no incidence of killing of villagers by the Jarawas. On the other
hand, the Jarawas are coming out from their habitat to mix with the local
people.
After giving them gift items like bananas, coconuts, etc., they are being
sent out to live in their own natural habitat, with view not to force them
to have a taste of the civilized world. Isolated so long, the Jarawas
otherwise appear to be healthy, with smooth skin, deep curly hair, long
and sturdy hands and legs and sturdy bones. They are physically fit for
hunting, fishing. Unlike, other tribes mention earlier, the Jarawas are
not welfare dependent people.
As nomadic tribes subsisting on hunting, fishing and gathering
activities, their traditional food articles consist of Boar (Wild Boar),
Turtles and their Eggs, Crabs and other shore animals, etc. Wild Pig
Fruits and Honey.
SENTENELESE
The Sentinelese are the inhabitants of North Sentinel Island west of
South Andaman, which cover an area of about 60-sq-kms. They are probably
the world's only Paleolithic people surviving today without contact with
any other group or community. They are considered as an off-shoot to the
Onge Jarawa tribes, which have acquired a different identity due to their
habitation in an isolated and have lost contact with the main tribes. The
Sentinelese are very hostile and never leave their Island that's why very
little is known about this tribe.
SHOMPENS
The habitation of Shompens is the Great Nicobar, which is the largest
among the Nicobar group of Islands. Like the Nicobarese, they belong to
the Mongoloid race. The Shompens have two divisions, the smaller division
being known as Mawa Shompens. They inhabit areas very close to the coastal
region along the river valleys.
Shompens are very shy and are quite intimate with the Nicobarese and of
the major group of Shompens. The hostile Shompens are living in Alexendra
and Galathia River areas and also on the east coast of the area in the
interior of the Island. In the past, frequent attacks are believed to have
been made on the Mawa Shompens by the hostile Shompens. But now, such
hostility has been stopped. It is probably because they have been largely
reduced in number due to various diseases.
The Mawa Shompens are the victims of diseases and are physically very
weak. With the establishment of the settlement at Campbell Bay in Great
Nicobar, Shompens have been visiting the settlers and they are gradually
shaking off their shyness and indifferent attitude towards the civilised
people.