Description

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Context:

Prof. Vishvajit Pandya, Director of the Andaman and Nicobar Tribal Research Institute (ANTRI), highlighted key findings from his report on the Shompens, an aboriginal community residing in the interior forests and coastal areas of Great Nicobar Island (GNI).

About Shompens

Aspect	Details
Isolation	Among the most isolated tribes on Earth.
PVTG Status	One of the least studied Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) in India.
Habitat	Dense tropical rainforests of Great Nicobar Island (95% of the island is rainforest-covered).
Origin	Different from most Nicobarese but shares Mongoloid ancestry.
Biodiversity Hotspot	Great Nicobar is a biological hotspot with two national parks (Campbell Bay and Galathea) and the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
Population (2011)	Estimated at 229; exact population unknown.
Lifestyle	Nomadic hunters living in small groups; territory marked by rivers.
Living Pattern	Establish temporary camps in forests for weeks or months before relocating.
Diet	Depend on rainforest plants; primary food is Pandanus fruit (Larop); grow small gardens with lemons, chili peppers, and betel.
Language	Speak their language with multiple dialects; members of different groups may not understand each other.
Physical Features	Short to medium height, round/wide head, narrow nose, wide facial profile, Mongoloid features (light brown to yellow-brown skin, slanted eyes).
Family Structure	Nuclear families with a husband, wife, and unmarried children; the oldest male controls family activities; a patriarchal society.
Marriage	Monogamy is common, though polygamy is allowed.
Beliefs	Worship the moon (Thicket) as their goddess, believed to have created the universe.

About Andaman and Nicobar Tribal Research Institute (ANTRI)

The Andaman and Nicobar Tribal Research Institute (ANTRI) is a research organization that studies the tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

What ANTRI do?

Studies the tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Researches the Shompens, one of the most isolated tribes in the world.
Works to preserve tribal cultural heritage.
Provides inputs for evidence-based planning and legislation.
Builds capacity of tribals and institutions associated with tribal affairs.

READ ABOUT

Greater Nicobar and Shompen Tribes

The Indigenous tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Source:

DECCAN HERALD

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss the socio-cultural practices of the Shompen tribe of the Nicobar Islands. How do their customs and lifestyle reflect their adaptation to the environment? (150 words)