Description

Jarawa Tribe

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Context:

For the first time in the history of India's election process, 19 members from Jarawa Tribe in Andaman and Nicobar Islands had been included on the electoral roll of the special summary revision-2025.

Details:

Location	Middle Andaman and South Andaman Islands.
Classification	Classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
Habitat	Dense forests, mangroves, and pristine beaches, providing a rich natural environment.
Ancestry	Believed to be descendants of the extinct Jangil tribe and possibly part of the first human migrations out of Africa.
Lifestyle	Hunter-forager-fishermen; known as warriors who fiercely defend their territory.
Physical Traits	Known for their strong physique and excellent nutritional health.
Traditional Clothing	Minimal and functional, suited for the tropical climate of the Andaman Islands.
Colonial Impact	Population significantly declined after the British colonial presence was established in 1789.
Survival	Survived British colonization and World War II.
Modern Interaction	Since 1997, initiated contact with outsiders, trading, interacting with tourists, receiving medical aid, and sending children to school.
Current Population	Estimated between 250 to 400 individuals.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)

PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups. Due to this factor, more developed and assertive tribal groups take a major chunk of the tribal development funds, because of which PVTGs need more funds directed for their development. In this context, in 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups, while in 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes, spread over 17 states and one Union Territory (UT), in the country (2011 census).

About Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India comprising 836 islands, of which only 31 are inhabited. The islands are grouped into two main clusters: the northern Andaman Islands and the southern Nicobar Islands, separated by a 150 km wide channel.

The capital and largest city of the territory, Port Blair (officially Sri Vijaya Puram), is located approximately 1,190 km from Chennai and 1,255 km from Kolkata in mainland India. The islands are situated between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east.

The northernmost point is 901 km from the mouth of the Hooghly River. Indira Point, located at 6°45'10″N and 93°49'36″E on the southern tip of Great Nicobar, is the southernmost point of India.

The territory shares maritime borders with Indonesia located about 165 km to the south, Myanmar located 280 km to the northeast and Thailand located 650 km (400 mi) to the southeast. The territory is divided into three districts: Nicobar, South Andaman, and North and Middle Andaman with the capitals at Car Nicobar, Port Blair, and Mayabunder respectively.

READ ABOUT

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/the-indigenous-tribes-of-andaman-nicobar-islands

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Source:

TRIBUNEINDIA

Rengama Naga

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Context:

The Rengma Naga tribe concluded a two-day celebration of the Ngada festival-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival at the Tseminyu RSA ground in Nagaland.

Details:

Ethnic Group	Tibeto Burman.
Location	Nagaland and Assam.
Self-Identification	Njong or Injang.
Racial Stock	Mongoloid.
Migration History	Believed to have migrated from Southeast Asia across the Yunnan Mountain ranges and settled in the upper Burma region.
Historical Practice	Slavery was practiced with slaves known as Menugetenyu and It Sakesa. Declined by the time of British arrival, with no Rengma slaves during that period.
Economy	Agriculturalists. Practice Jhum cultivation and wet cultivation. Grow paddy, seasonal crops, and fruits.
Religion	Traditionally worshippers of supernatural beings. Majority are now Christians.
Festivals	Celebrate seasonal agricultural festivals. Ngada is the most important festival.

About Nagaland

It is a state in the northeastern region of India. It is bordered by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south, and the Naga Self-Administered Zone of the Sagaing Region of Myanmar (Burma) to the east. Its capital city is Kohima and its largest city is the twin Chümoukedima–Dimapur. Nagaland has a largely monsoon climate with high humidity levels.

Flora and Fauna

Nagaland's lush landscape includes tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests, with areas of bamboo, rattan, and mahogany. Notable wildlife includes the state bird, Blyth's tragopan, and the state animal, Mithun, a semi-domesticated gaur. The region is home to over 490 bird species, including the iconic great Indian hornbill and Amur falcons, earning it the title "falcon capital of the world." Mithun conservation is supported by the National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM).

Festivals of Nagaland

Festival Name	Tribe	Time of Celebration	Significance
Hornbill Festival	All tribes	December	Showcases the culture, traditions, and heritage of all Naga tribes.
Aoling Festival	Konyak Tribe	April	Marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the agricultural season.
Moatsu Festival	Ao Tribe	May	Celebrates the completion of sowing and preparation for the agricultural cycle.
Sekrenyi Festival	Angami Tribe	February	Celebrates purification and the beginning of the new year.
Ngada Festival	Rengma Tribe	November	Post-harvest festival expressing gratitude and celebrating unity.
Tuluni Festival	Sumi Tribe	July	Thanksgiving festival for a bountiful harvest.
Tokhu Emong Festival	Lotha Tribe	November	Harvest festival marking the end of the agricultural cycle.
Metemneo Festival	Yimchunger Tribe	August	Celebrates the harvest and focuses on praying for the well-being of families.
Mimkut Festival	Kuki Tribe	January	Harvest festival honoring ancestors and celebrating the new crop.
Tsükhenyie Festival	Chakhesang Tribe	April	Observes purification rituals and prays for a successful harvest.

Source:

NENOW

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Jarawa tribe:

The Jarawa tribe is an indigenous group primarily found in the Andaman Islands.
The tribe is known for its semi-nomadic lifestyle and relies on hunting and gathering for sustenance.
The Jarawa tribe is fully integrated into the mainstream society of India.
They are protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tribal Protection Act of 1956.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Jarawa tribe is an indigenous group found in the Andaman Islands, specifically on the western side of South and Middle Andaman Islands.

Statement 2 is correct: The Jarawa tribe practices a semi-nomadic lifestyle, relying primarily on hunting, fishing, and gathering to meet their needs. They are known for their traditional and self-sufficient ways of life.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Jarawa tribe is not fully integrated into mainstream society. They have had limited contact with outsiders and continue to live in relative isolation, with strict restrictions on outsiders entering their territory to preserve their traditional way of life.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The tribe is not specifically protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tribal Protection Act of 1956, but they are protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956, which restricts access to their lands and preserves their way of life.