How did the Onge-tribe survive and the other tribes?
21.4.2005 klo 17:05
- Most of the Onge, who live in two government-built settlements, fled to high ground as the sea level fell, and so survived. They are currently being supported by a neighbouring community in a school house. Their awareness of the ocean and its movements has been accumulated over 60,000 years of inhabiting the islands. The Onge had already suffered a disastrous fall in their population, from 672 in 1901 to barely 100 today. A new baby born to the Onge tribe on 24 February brings the population to 97. The Onge people, who like the other isolated tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands survived the tsunami of December 26, left their coastal settlements when the water receded. They have set up temporary camps in the forests of their island, Little Andaman. The tribe once inhabited the whole of Little Andaman, but the island is now also home to thousands of Indian settlers, and much of it has been deforested. The Onge have complained that wild pigs, which a man must kill in order to marry, are now scarce.
- Reports from overflights of Sentinel Island, home of the most isolated of all the tribes, the Sentinelese, indicate that many have been seen on the beaches. The Sentinelese fired arrows at the helicopter overhead. However, confident assertions by the authorities that all the Sentinelese have been accounted for are premature, as no-one has any idea of their population (estimates range from 50 - 250), and landing on the island is impossible.
- Jarawa: Population about 270. Have only had peaceful contact with outsiders for six years. They live on the west coast of South and Middle Andaman, and are believed to have survived the tsunami. They are still completely independent and live entirely by hunting, gathering and fishing. The main threat to their existence comes from the highway running through their territory: the Indian government was ordered to close this by the Supreme Court in 2002, but it has ignored the order.
- Shompen: Population 380. A relatively isolated tribe of Great Nicobar Island, the Shompen are hunter-gatherers who have some, limited, contact with outsiders. Overflights of their territory suggest their forest has been little damaged, raising hopes that the tribe has survived more or less intact.
- Nicobarese: Population 30,000. Unlike the other tribes, the Nicobarese are largely horticulturalists. Most have converted to Christianity, and are much more assimilated than the other Andaman and Nicobar tribes, but still maintain their own distinct culture. The Nicobarese have also suffered much more from the tsunami. All 12 villages on one island, Car Nicobar, have been washed away, and many are feared dead.
Hello. My name is Priti Singh and I’m a Research Scholar and Writer from New Delhi. I write to you as the author of the coffee table book “The Islands and Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar.” I happened to come across your site and wanted to bring to your notice the publication of such an exquisite, informative and engaging book. The book of course is sui generis in the sense that it is the first of its kind on the place and unlike a regular glossy. It is extremely exhaustive - detailing every aspect of this very unique archipelago which in all probability is the last bastion of primeval mankind and one of the few places left on earth that remain un-spoilt by man’s rapacity.
The islands were devastated by the Dec. 2004 tsunami that ravaged large parts of Southeast Asia. The book serves to spread a good word about the place and its people and goes a step further in trying to do its bit to help revive tourism there (as 60% of the island’s population is directly/indirectly dependent on the industry) that was badly hit by the catastrophe.
“The Islands and Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar” illustrates and showcases all the wondrous facets of the archipelago and contains some very rare archival images and documents that give it an engaging edge. The book has been well received and features in the Nov.2006 issue of the Incredible India magazine. The foreword of the book has been written by the world renowned wildlife photographer Mr. Rajesh Bedi (whose brilliant images of the place and its aboriginal tribes form an important part of the book). If interested, you could go to www.prakashbooks.com or alternatively contact me or Mr. Gaurav Sabharwal, Director, Sales and Marketing - Prakash Books for further details. Ph. 91-11-23247062-65 Fax. 91-11-23246975 Looking forward to a favourable response. Thank you and Regards, Priti Singh
My Blog – “Edit Page India” Link - http://ideas4romindia.blogspot.com