Description

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Context:

According to new genetic research by scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the 25,000-strong Nicobarese population appears to have a significant ancestral connection with Austroasiatic populations across South and Southeast Asia.

Details:

Current theories suggest that linguistic ancestors of the Nicobarese settled in Nicobar archipelago during the early Holocene, about 11,700 years ago, but genetic research, involving 1,559 individuals from South and Southeast Asia, shows it to be about 5,000 years ago.

About Nicobarese:

The Nicobarese people are an Austroasiatic-speaking people of the Nicobar Islands, a chain of islands in the Bay of Bengal north of Sumatra, forming part of the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands/

The Nicobar Archipelago consists of 19 islands and only 12 of them are inhabited.

The term "Nicobarese" refers to the dominant tribes of the Nicobar Islands and are most significant tribal population in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to their large numbers and the very wide area they occupy as compared to all the Andaman tribes put together.

These inhabited islands are Car Nicobar, Chowra, Bompoka, Teressa, Nancowry, Pullomillow, Great Nicobar, Camorta, Katchal, Trinket, Kondul, and Little Nicobar.

History:

The Nicobarese may not have been the last people to live on the islands; they appear to have shared the islands with Shompen.

Language:

The Nicobarese language is part of the Austroasiatic language family.

All of the different islands speak different dialects of the Nicobarese language.

The separate islands are categorized into four groups, although most of the people understand the Car Nicobar dialect.

Car
Chaura–Teressa
Central: Nancowry, Camorta, Katchal
Southern: Southern Nicobarese

Religion and society:

Most of the people of the islands are of the Christian religion. The Nicobarese are headed by a matriarchal chief.

Economy:

The Nicobarese have a traditionally horticultural economy; they base their monetary existence on the growing of coconuts, pandanus, areca nut palms, bananas, mangoes and other fruits.

About the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar

Tribe	Location	Language	Lifestyle	Cultural Practices
Great Andamanese	Strait Island, Port Blair	Great Andamanese languages (Ongan family)	Traditionally hunters, gatherers, and fishermen. Now semi-nomadic due to resettlement.	Use of bows and arrows for hunting; distinct rituals; limited contact with outsiders.
Onge	Little Andaman Island	Onge (Ongan language family)	Semi-nomadic hunters and gatherers; dependent on forest and marine resources.	Unique tattooing traditions; simple tools for survival.
Jarawa	Western coast of Middle and South Andaman Islands	Jarawa (Ongan language family)	Hunter-gatherers; reliant on forest and coastal resources; highly reclusive.	Live in harmony with nature; distinct body art and adornments.
Sentinelese	North Sentinel Island	Unknown (possibly Ongan family)	Extremely isolated hunter-gatherers; reject outside contact.	Highly protective of their territory; use bows and arrows; little is known about their cultural practices.
Shompen	Great Nicobar Island	Shompen (possibly Austroasiatic language family)	Semi-nomadic; hunter-gatherers and horticulturists.	Known for their use of blowpipes for hunting; wear minimal clothing; live in isolated settlements.

Source:

DECCANHERLAND

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Nicobarese:

The Nicobarese are the indigenous people of the Nicobar Islands primarily practicing fishing and agriculture.
They have a distinct linguistic and cultural identity speaking languages belonging to the Austroasiatic family.
The Nicobarese practice a form of animistic religion involving the worship of natural spirits and ancestors.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3 only

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Nicobarese are the indigenous people of the Nicobar Islands, primarily engaged in fishing and agriculture.

Statement 2 is correct: The Nicobarese have a distinct linguistic and cultural identity, speaking languages belonging to the Austroasiatic family.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Nicobarese practice a form of animistic religion involving the worship of natural spirits and ancestors is not accurate. They have experienced significant cultural influences from external groups, especially from the mainland of India, affecting their traditional beliefs and practices.