Andaman - Lifestyle

When you hear about the majestic Andaman and Nicobar Islands, you'll think of a picturesque country with breathtaking waters and magnificent beaches. Well, that's obviously true. For years it has been a catalyst for huge crowds when it comes to having a great vacation in nature. Tourism is central to its income, but it is also true that most of us do not know or know our original descendants and their lifestyles. The lifestyle of the ancient tribes of the island 

The first tribes to occupy the tropical paradise were the Andamanese, Jarawas, Sentinelese, Onge, Nicobarese and Shompen people of the Andaman Islands. About 60,000 years ago, these tribes lived on the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean and were widely known in India as the Adivasi. They owned 572 islands that stretched for a whopping 8,249 kilometres. They lived in the dense forests and jungles of the island for hundreds of years, sought food, and were deciphered for years of isolation. Since the British occupied the island, tribal people have lived far from their normal homes. Let's shed light on their lifestyle, including profession, clothing, food, culture and festivals. Jobs. The original tribal people who lived here were the Great Andamanese of the Andaman Group, the Jarawas, the Sentinelese, the Onge, and the Nicobarese and Shompen of the Nicobar Islands. Together with them, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands today are home to the descendants of hundreds of prisoners of war from all over India who formed a penal colony during the British Raj. They are descendants of Malabar’s Mopra, who were deported during the Mopra Rebellion and the Kirafat Movement, and are refugees from East Pakistan who settled in the hope of a new life over 30 years ago. Or a former soldier of the Indian Army. From job seekers and adventurers from all over India. 

 

People in Andaman 

Settlers from mainland India make up more than 50 per cent of the population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For this reason, many call Andaman Little India or Mini India. Everyone speaks Hindi, no matter where they come from on the mainland. Settlers, or their ancestors, arrived before or after 1947. Between 

70 and 1980, thousands of prisoners arrived from northern, southern, eastern, western, and central India until the 1930s. It was brought in and released. Many women came there as prisoners or relatives of liberated prisoners. The majority of 

Prisoners decided to stay after completing their sentence. There was a lot of social mixing without colonization due to traditional social restrictions. There was a marriage between castes and between beliefs. Therefore, a new social order and culture has developed that has abandoned the values ​​of traditional mainland societies and cultures. 

Hundreds of Mopra or Mapira were deported after the Malabar rebellion in the early 1920s. Many of them later settled their families and relatives in the Andaman Islands. Many villages in southern Andaman live in them and make up the majority of the Malayalam-speaking population. For Moplus, their traditional lifestyle hasn’t changed much. They still retain their own identity. 

Indigenous peoples were engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Agriculture is the profession of most residents of the Andaman Islands. The main crops are rice, coconut, betel (areca nut), fruits and spices. Rubber, oil palm and cashew nuts also make up the majority of food crops.

 

Andaman Clothing Style

Men's Adivasi garments consisted of bark, husks, and coconut leaves, covering the genital area. They wore clothes that wrap around their bodies, mostly under their waists. They also wore beaded necklaces. The women adorned the skirts and shawls that covered them from their shoulders. They also wore earrings, Nigerk or necklaces and armbands. Eating habits 

 

 

Most Adivasi participated in hunting and fishing to collect food. It also recognizes some beneficial plants. But they didn't know how to make or cook fire. Wild boars, molluscs, dugongs, turtles and monitor lizards formed a major part of their diet and were killed by hunting. The sea was a great source of food. The woman caught a fish in a basket. They were basically nomads, but they were far from humans. Overall, their diet was simple. 

 

Andaman Culture 

All local tribes have decided to preserve the island's wealth, ethnicity and customs. Indigenous peoples were divided into two groups with different cultures. One was the Palaeolithic Negrito, such as the Ong, Jarawas, Andaman, Sentinelese, Shompen, Nikobal, and Monoroid. The lifestyle of Modern Inhabitants of the Island 

 

 

With the spread of civilization, inhabitants of the Emerald islands have embraced modernity and urban cosmopolitan culture. The present-day population includes Punjabis, Bengalis, South Indians etc. They have become educated and literate. Despite being isolated, modern people. Modern city life has improved with the advent of posh hotels and resorts and restaurants. Today, the island also has bars and pubs for evening entertainment. 

 

Festivals in Andaman

There are many extravagant festivals that add enthusiasm to the aura. In addition to the usual Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja, Janmashtami, the Island Tourism Festival and Subhash Mela are celebrated with splendour and splendour. Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna and is considered a very auspicious opportunity. The house is painted and decorated. The main magic of the night is Lars Leelas, whose indigenous people portray the life of Lord Krishna and tell his story in theatre. Believers refrain from eating until midnight, after which special food is provided to God and distributed to the believers. Food is vegetarian. The Island Tourism Festival is a gorgeous event that lasts for 10 days. The event includes dance and drama to entertain the viewer.

 

 

Exhibitions are also organized with fascinating art displays, aqua sports, and parasailing. You will be able to capture the vibe, spirit, and essence of the culture of the island more vividly through it. You will also get the opportunity to know the languages, religions, customs, and beliefs of the indigenous people during these 10 days. The festival is organized mainly during the months of December and January. Subhash Mela is another popular indigenous festival of the island which is all about celebrating handicrafts from native and foreign artists. As part of a week-long event in January, there is an interesting cultural program. We hope that the above article will disseminate a lot of valuable information that reflects the lifestyle of Torchbearers in the Andaman Islands.