ONGE TRIBE

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Picture Courtesy: https://thefederal.com/category/news/andamans-vulnerable-onge-tribe-royals-welcome-baby-boy-population-now-136-124536

Context: The Andaman's Onge tribe king welcomes a baby boy, bringing the tribe's total population to 136.

Onge Tribe

• The Onge tribe, a semi-nomadic community in Little Andaman Island, traces their ancestry to the Negrito racial group.
• Their traditional lifestyle revolves around a semi-nomadic existence, relying on resources from the ocean and forest.
• Their religious beliefs centre around animism or nature worship, with reverence for the natural elements that sustain their livelihood.
• They interpret pearly white teeth as a symbol of death and intentionally chew bark to impart a red hue to their teeth.
• On special occasions, they emphasize body ornamentation, decorating their bodies and faces with white and ochre clay.
• The 1970s resettlement resulted in the loss of their ancestral lands and territories, exacerbating their cultural and social challenges.
• The Onge tribe faces significant challenges related to fertility and population growth, with over 40% experiencing difficulties in conceiving.

Source:

The Print

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