Names of Tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands - History, Lifestyle & Conservation

The Andaman Islands—an archipelago of 525 islands—were once isolated from mainland influences. Over time, colonialism and migration have altered the landscape, with settlers from Bengal, Bangladesh, and beyond reshaping the demographic canvas. Today, however, the indigenous tribes remain among the world’s most isolated and vulnerable communities.

Ancient Origins of Andaman Tribes

• 60,000 years of heritage: Genetic evidence shows Andaman tribes arrived during the Paleolithic era, evolving independently from African slaves myths. They belong to two racial groupings: Negrito and Mongoloid.

• Negrito groups (Andamans): Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese

• Mongoloid groups (Nicobar): Nicobarese, Shompen

These tribes live on subsistence activities—hunting, fishing, gathering, sea-based survival—remaining largely disconnected from modern life.

The Six Indigenous Tribes

1. Great Andamanese

Photo Credit - Wiki

One of the island’s oldest tribes, once ten clans. They resisted British colonizers in 1788 but many were killed in the 1858 Battle of Aberdeen. Survivors were relocated to Strait Island, where today fewer than 50 remain. They now engage in horticulture and poultry, with rations from the government. Remaining fiercely private, they avoid outsiders.

2. Onge

Photo Credit - Wiki

Located in South Andaman and Little Andaman, Onge once numbered over 600 but dwindled to under 100 by 1901. Today, their population is around 100–200, practicing shell carving, canoe-making, hunting, and gathering roots. Challenges include rising alcohol and tobacco use, which authorities are addressing through de-addiction programs.

3. Jarawa

Renowned for their isolation, the Jarawa inhabited Southeast Andaman, known for poison-tipped arrows and strict no-contact policies. Numbers hover around 400. With the Andaman Trunk Road crossing their reserve, some contact has occurred: they now accept food and simple goods in exchange for photos but remain fiercely protective of their culture.

Photo Credit - Wiki

4. Sentinelese

Photo Credit - Wiki

The most isolated tribe, living on North Sentinel Island. With estimated numbers under 100, they reject all contact—even defending their land with lethal force. Since the tragic John Chau incident in 2018, the Indian government has instituted a strict no-contact policy. Their lifestyle remains primitive, with hunting and fishing using bows and stone tools.

5. Shompen

Photo Credit - Wiki

A Mongoloid group native to Great Nicobar. Traditionally nomadic, subsisting on hunting pigs and foraging, they now accept limited government aid but maintain a preferring for isolation, living in makeshift huts inland.

6. Nicobarese

Photo Credit - Ocean Ecology Network

By contrast, the Nicobarese thrive—numbering in thousands across various sub-tribes. Living in joint families ("tuhets"), worshipping coconut, rice, and pigs, they celebrate life with ornate shell jewelry, dance, and song. They practice horticulture and pig farming, though their coastal settlement made them vulnerable during the 2004 tsunami.

Why Tribal Tourism Is Strictly Prohibited

1. Health and Cultural Protection – These tribes have no immunity to modern diseases. Contact can be fatal.

2. Preserving Natural Habitat – Their lives are intertwined with untouched forests; tourism would disrupt fragile ecosystems.

3. Cultural Respect – These groups prefer solitude; intrusion is seen as aggression.

4. Legal Protection – Under Indian law, photographing or engaging with these tribes is strictly banned and punishable.

Government and Conservation Efforts

• Village monitoring by protected area controllers

• Provision of staple rations, clothing, and cattle

• No-entry zones enforced around tribal reserves

• Education & healthcare support for Onge and Great Andamanese

• Public awareness campaigns cautioning tourists:

  • Keep cameras off in Jarawa zones

  • Do not photograph tribal families

  • Respect Tribal Protection Act boundaries

Visiting Andaman — What You Can Explore

While tribal zones are off-limits, the rest of Andaman offers rich experiences:

• Port Blair: Cellular Jail, Marina Park, Limestone Caves

• Havelock Island: Award-winning beaches, snorkeling, and diving

• Baratang/Rangat: Mangrove tours, mud volcano, limestone caves

• Neil Island, Little Andaman, North Andaman: Sunsets, surf spots, and coral reefs

🧭 Final Word

The tribes of Andaman represent both an ancient legacy and an urgent conservation imperative. Their protection is the highest priority—physical, cultural, and territorial. As responsible visitors, we celebrate the islands’ natural beauty while honoring the right of its earliest inhabitants to live unaffected.