Andaman and Nicobar islands people present a mix of two main categories: the indigenous tribal people and the outsiders who came here following the colonial rule. Together, they provide a various and colorful ethnicity to the people's profile of Andaman and Nicobar. Although the aborigines are the original inhabitants of the region, the improvement and the enhancement of Andaman owe greatly to the visitors to the area.
The Aborigines of Andaman and Nicobar
Andaman has been populated for over 60,000 years. Some of the Andaman and Nicobar islands people from the old stone age have continued to stay here and follow their age old economic structure through hunting gathering and fishing.The Great Andamanese: They were originally the most populous tribes among people of Andaman and Nicobar islands. However, now only a few of them are surviving.
Onge: The Onges also trace their lineage to Africa from where they have migrated some 60,000 years age. They still continue to maintain their indigenous lifestyles despite the changes that have been brought about by time.
Jarawa: Known for their fierceness and violent nature, these Andaman and Nicobar islands people are sharply declining in numbers. Like the Onges and the Andamanese, these people of African origin are great hunters and gatherers, often using iron tips to sharpen their lethal arrows.
Sentinalese: They are considered to be the most inaccessible of the people in Andaman and Nicobar islands. They fish in the coastal areas, and still largely go around naked. They are also known to be wary of strangers.
Unlike the Andaman people, Nicobar people are largely of Mongoloid origin. They migrated from Burma thousands of years age. The major group are the Shompens who are divided into two subgroups of the Mawa Shompens and Nicobarese. The Nicobarese were also known for their violent and hostile nature, which often turned against civilization.
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