'Maro' in jovial mood at Port Blair. 
Friday, May 19, 2006
A Karen friend of Great Andmanese
Karen, indigenous people from hills of Burma (now Myanmar), were brought to Andaman and Nicobar Islands by British colonizers to work as laborers in the timber and pulp industry during 1859. They now live in a small village named Webi in the middle Andamans. Before being resettled by the Andaman administration, Great Andamanese used to live near Webi village of Karens and that is why there were very cordial terms between the two communities. Even now the elders in the GA community get nostalgic when they talk about Karen. Shown in Picture here is Mr. Paung, who was fondly called Paung Buddha or Pav Buddha standing with the boat provided by ANET, near the shores of Strait Island (at least 10 years back).
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Fishing with arrows!!!
The three Bea men showing their fishing skills to an unidentified photographer.
The last undisputed king of GA
GA king Jirake in good times.The Red T-shirt in the picture is still worn by his loving brother Nao Jr.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
New born GAs
Great Andamanese are now 56 in total!
The year 2006 brought two newborns in the Great Andamanese community.
One baby girl and the other a baby boy!
The year 2006 brought two newborns in the Great Andamanese community.
One baby girl and the other a baby boy!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
The Fall and The 'Rise' Of The Great Andamanese
It is said that the demon does not strike only once, it comes back.
1858 was that fateful year when the self-sufficient and non-interfering Great Andamanese came in contact with the real outsiders. Though they had occasional encounters with outsiders in their territory like Jarawas, another negrito tribe of south Andaman and the weather weary sailors of the shipwrecked ships. But it was not that fatal as it was 1858 onwards. This was the year when British imperialists arrived in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to extend their colonial tentacles.
In the same year, the British started the building of the vast penal settlement at Port Blair and also the administrative seat at Ross Island, near Port Blair.
The Great Andamanese had never seen such significantly different outsiders as the British colonizers.
The year passed with lot of blood shed and the 10 different tribes of Great Andmanese community resolved their differences and planned a major attack on the intruders in their territory.
In 1859 they attacked the British Police Post at Aberdeen Bazaar at Port Blair in full force but their attack was foiled and the Great Andamanese were mercilessly killed by the barrage of bullets. This battle later went down in history as the 'Battle of Aberdeen'. Their distrust in outsiders became more strong when they came to know, that the escaped Indian convict from the cellular jail, to whom they had become friends, had switched sides before the battle and informed his colonial masters about the impending battle.
In the years to come British colonizers led many punitive expeditions in which a number of Andamanese were killed.
Finally in front of this indomitable enemy, they lowered their arms and extended their hands of goodwill. But by that time also the number of Great Andamanese had decreased considerably.
Their total population, which was more than 7000 before the outsiders arrived, dwindled to 3500 by the time of friendly contact with the colonizers.
This friendly contact which was more favorable to colonizers than the Great Andamanese, also brought new types of enemies in the guise of epidemics and addiction.
The ranks of the colonial force developed sexual liaisons with the Great Andamanese women, who eventually contracted venereal diseases like Syphilis. This resulted in various deaths among the Andamanese men and women.
The extent of the epidemic was so deadly that even the colonizers wanted to fight it by sending the Great Andamanese back to the forest.
But it was too late by that time, the Great Andamanese had also developed addiction of vices like opium, marijuana, liquor etc from the company of Indian and Burmese laborers. This led to further decline in their population from the outbreak of diseases like tuberculosis and cholera.
Their increasing reliance on foreign food also led to further decline in their health and immunity.
By the end of the 19th century their population has reached the bottoms and when in 1930, a head count was conducted they were less than 20 Great Andamanese left.
After India's independence they were camped at Bluff Island (1949) by the forest department which led to certain stability in their population.
In 1969 they were finally settled at Strait Island (1969) and their population was around two dozens at that time.
Someone aptly named Strait Island as 'Government Breeding Center', as the gradual increase in population began from there.
Today in 2006 the total Great Andamanese population counts more than 50, thanks to the 'efforts' of the tribal welfare and police department.
Almost every Great Andamanese women of reproductive age has more than 6 children and when you inquire this from the Great Andamanese men, they mostly deny their complicity about it.
It is startling but sad revelation that, except the few almost all Great Andamanese children today are from non-Andamanese fathers. In fact the Andaman administration has taken pride in showing that due to their 'efforts' the Great Andamanese population has achieved a momentum.
As a matter of fact, it also necessary for their existence cause who will they cater to if there are no Great Andamanese left.
They say that that children are sent by God's hand.
Yes it is true here too only that the God has changed name here: the outsiders.
God or the Demon again?
1858 was that fateful year when the self-sufficient and non-interfering Great Andamanese came in contact with the real outsiders. Though they had occasional encounters with outsiders in their territory like Jarawas, another negrito tribe of south Andaman and the weather weary sailors of the shipwrecked ships. But it was not that fatal as it was 1858 onwards. This was the year when British imperialists arrived in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to extend their colonial tentacles.
In the same year, the British started the building of the vast penal settlement at Port Blair and also the administrative seat at Ross Island, near Port Blair.
The Great Andamanese had never seen such significantly different outsiders as the British colonizers.
The year passed with lot of blood shed and the 10 different tribes of Great Andmanese community resolved their differences and planned a major attack on the intruders in their territory.
In 1859 they attacked the British Police Post at Aberdeen Bazaar at Port Blair in full force but their attack was foiled and the Great Andamanese were mercilessly killed by the barrage of bullets. This battle later went down in history as the 'Battle of Aberdeen'. Their distrust in outsiders became more strong when they came to know, that the escaped Indian convict from the cellular jail, to whom they had become friends, had switched sides before the battle and informed his colonial masters about the impending battle.
In the years to come British colonizers led many punitive expeditions in which a number of Andamanese were killed.
Finally in front of this indomitable enemy, they lowered their arms and extended their hands of goodwill. But by that time also the number of Great Andamanese had decreased considerably.
Their total population, which was more than 7000 before the outsiders arrived, dwindled to 3500 by the time of friendly contact with the colonizers.
This friendly contact which was more favorable to colonizers than the Great Andamanese, also brought new types of enemies in the guise of epidemics and addiction.
The ranks of the colonial force developed sexual liaisons with the Great Andamanese women, who eventually contracted venereal diseases like Syphilis. This resulted in various deaths among the Andamanese men and women.
The extent of the epidemic was so deadly that even the colonizers wanted to fight it by sending the Great Andamanese back to the forest.
But it was too late by that time, the Great Andamanese had also developed addiction of vices like opium, marijuana, liquor etc from the company of Indian and Burmese laborers. This led to further decline in their population from the outbreak of diseases like tuberculosis and cholera.
Their increasing reliance on foreign food also led to further decline in their health and immunity.
By the end of the 19th century their population has reached the bottoms and when in 1930, a head count was conducted they were less than 20 Great Andamanese left.
After India's independence they were camped at Bluff Island (1949) by the forest department which led to certain stability in their population.
In 1969 they were finally settled at Strait Island (1969) and their population was around two dozens at that time.
Someone aptly named Strait Island as 'Government Breeding Center', as the gradual increase in population began from there.
Today in 2006 the total Great Andamanese population counts more than 50, thanks to the 'efforts' of the tribal welfare and police department.
Almost every Great Andamanese women of reproductive age has more than 6 children and when you inquire this from the Great Andamanese men, they mostly deny their complicity about it.
It is startling but sad revelation that, except the few almost all Great Andamanese children today are from non-Andamanese fathers. In fact the Andaman administration has taken pride in showing that due to their 'efforts' the Great Andamanese population has achieved a momentum.
As a matter of fact, it also necessary for their existence cause who will they cater to if there are no Great Andamanese left.
They say that that children are sent by God's hand.
Yes it is true here too only that the God has changed name here: the outsiders.
God or the Demon again?
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Tribal Welfare Or Self Welfare?
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known as an anthropologist's heaven, a sociologist paradise and a linguist's milkyway. Home to four aboriginal tribes namely Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge and Shompen. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have always caught our attention from long time. Our good intentions of 'civilizing' them and working for their welfare have always been on our priority list.
British colonizers of Andaman tried to 'civilize' the Great Andamanese and they ended up in their annihilation. Few souls like Man (1875),Portman (1880) etc tried to keep them in specially built homes across Andamans,collectively known as 'Andaman Homes' but that also resulted in disasters and epidemics. Later after India's independence, Tribal Welfare department of government of India came into forefront of 'welfare' activities. They started their grand plan of welfare and of bringing the tribals into the mainstream by first making a camp at Bluff Island (1949) for remaining Great Andamanese and then to Strait Island (1969) for their permanent settlement.
Today there are around 45 Great Andamanese left and their 'welfare' completely rests in the hands of tribal welfare department and its offshoot AAJVS.
For a community of such a small population, the department has employed a social worker, an agricultural worker, an electrician, an engine driver for Gen. set, a cook for the VVIP guest house at Strait Island, a pharmacist, a teacher and four police guards (this list does not include people employed at PortBlair Office of Tribal welfare department).
The surprising thing is that, only one Great Anadamanese is employed at Strait Island as police guard, that too after a long wait. Though there are five Great Andamanese employed at PortBlair in police department.
Almost all the government staff employed for 'welfare' at Strait Island share one attribute in common: the hatred and ignorance about Great Andamanese.
Most of the people come there just to complete their three month long compulsory deputation and also to avoid going to Southern Group of Islands (Nicoabr Islands) cause from there they will not be able to visit their homes frequently.
By the way, its another take at Strait Island, they can come and go as they wish. Their primary motive is to somehow finish their compulsory stay.
In Strait Island "no work" is the motto. When informed that an old lady (more than 85 years and she can barely walk) is having severe skin irritation and allergy, the pharmacist wanted her to come to the pharmacy, rather than going there to see her. He just sent some medicine without even looking at her. Although, the distance between the Pharmacy and the patient's hut was barely 40 meters.
Some police guards posted at Strait Island have only thing in mind. And that is 'how to exploit Great Andamanese men and women. at the most.
Peculiarly the Tribal Welfare department is sending only the insensitive people to that tiny island, who do not have any respect for tribals and their culture.
Another funny but sad situation was when a Tribal Welfare department staff wanted a Great Anadmanese man to be admitted in government hospital at PortBlair, so that he will not have to go back to Strait Island and he can just stay at PortBlair for medical duty.
The level of corruption at Tribal Welfare department is so rampant that it takes only a few days at PortBlair to realize where the money drain leading.
One of the Junior level officers of AAJVS owns three houses in PortBlair and one in Delhi.Another senior officer has been persistently trying to stop his promotion to a higher rank, cause from there, he will not get enough. Like wise the offices at PortBlair are all air-conditioned and equipped with extensive furniture. And all these at the expense of tribals.
Inspite having a staff strength of more than 50 people, the Tribal welfare department of Andamans fails to keep records about the aboriginal and when asked, they reply in unison 'what's the use?
It is not to say that Tribal Welfare is doing only evil, it does good things at times. But the bad deeds far outweigh the good deeds.
Another chapter will see the sun when the department will release its Post-Tsunami expenditure report.
But that will see some hard patience.
Some of the Great Andamanese pics at older times
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
And the Great Andamnese today:
Nao Jr. and Naremo
Sony
British colonizers of Andaman tried to 'civilize' the Great Andamanese and they ended up in their annihilation. Few souls like Man (1875),Portman (1880) etc tried to keep them in specially built homes across Andamans,collectively known as 'Andaman Homes' but that also resulted in disasters and epidemics. Later after India's independence, Tribal Welfare department of government of India came into forefront of 'welfare' activities. They started their grand plan of welfare and of bringing the tribals into the mainstream by first making a camp at Bluff Island (1949) for remaining Great Andamanese and then to Strait Island (1969) for their permanent settlement.
Today there are around 45 Great Andamanese left and their 'welfare' completely rests in the hands of tribal welfare department and its offshoot AAJVS.
For a community of such a small population, the department has employed a social worker, an agricultural worker, an electrician, an engine driver for Gen. set, a cook for the VVIP guest house at Strait Island, a pharmacist, a teacher and four police guards (this list does not include people employed at PortBlair Office of Tribal welfare department).
The surprising thing is that, only one Great Anadamanese is employed at Strait Island as police guard, that too after a long wait. Though there are five Great Andamanese employed at PortBlair in police department.
Almost all the government staff employed for 'welfare' at Strait Island share one attribute in common: the hatred and ignorance about Great Andamanese.
Most of the people come there just to complete their three month long compulsory deputation and also to avoid going to Southern Group of Islands (Nicoabr Islands) cause from there they will not be able to visit their homes frequently.
By the way, its another take at Strait Island, they can come and go as they wish. Their primary motive is to somehow finish their compulsory stay.
In Strait Island "no work" is the motto. When informed that an old lady (more than 85 years and she can barely walk) is having severe skin irritation and allergy, the pharmacist wanted her to come to the pharmacy, rather than going there to see her. He just sent some medicine without even looking at her. Although, the distance between the Pharmacy and the patient's hut was barely 40 meters.
Some police guards posted at Strait Island have only thing in mind. And that is 'how to exploit Great Andamanese men and women. at the most.
Peculiarly the Tribal Welfare department is sending only the insensitive people to that tiny island, who do not have any respect for tribals and their culture.
Another funny but sad situation was when a Tribal Welfare department staff wanted a Great Anadmanese man to be admitted in government hospital at PortBlair, so that he will not have to go back to Strait Island and he can just stay at PortBlair for medical duty.
The level of corruption at Tribal Welfare department is so rampant that it takes only a few days at PortBlair to realize where the money drain leading.
One of the Junior level officers of AAJVS owns three houses in PortBlair and one in Delhi.Another senior officer has been persistently trying to stop his promotion to a higher rank, cause from there, he will not get enough. Like wise the offices at PortBlair are all air-conditioned and equipped with extensive furniture. And all these at the expense of tribals.
Inspite having a staff strength of more than 50 people, the Tribal welfare department of Andamans fails to keep records about the aboriginal and when asked, they reply in unison 'what's the use?
It is not to say that Tribal Welfare is doing only evil, it does good things at times. But the bad deeds far outweigh the good deeds.
Another chapter will see the sun when the department will release its Post-Tsunami expenditure report.
But that will see some hard patience.
Some of the Great Andamanese pics at older times
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
Courtesy www.andaman.org
And the Great Andamnese today:
Nao Jr. and Naremo
Sony
Thursday, January 12, 2006
New realities at Strait Island
There are Four primitive tribes living in Anadaman Islands since times imemorial. One of these tribes is Great Andamanese(negrito stock) which were originally ten different tribes but due to various reasons their population dwindled and therefore, they are now collectively called Great Andamanese(GA). GA at one point of time numbered more than 3000 but now they are reduced to just 43 people out of which only 27 are adults(11 males and 16 females) and the rest are children(as on 12 Jan'06).
Orginally GA used to live all across Andaman Islands(from North to South). since 1962, they have been settled in Strait Island-a tribal reserve (a small island around 56 Kms from Portblair) by the Andaman administration. A special committee aptely named Andaman Aadim Jati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) has been entrusted with the upkeep of all primitive tribses including GA.
AAJVS comes under the perview of Tribal Welfare department and is headed by an executive seceretary of commissionar rank.AAJVS provides monthly ration, medical facilities etc to GA.
But today when you talk to any GA, you will find a deep anguish inside them for AAJVS people.
AAJVS staff deputed at Strait Island resort to holding back their monthly ration if their demands were not met.
Some time ago a social worker lured a GA girl to have a physical relationship with him by promising her that he would marry her but later absconded.
In an another incident a teacher deputed at strait island to teach GA children took one of the young girl for outing and later forced her to have sex with him.But the pain did not end there while they were coming back from Carbyn's cove beach (a place in Portblair), they were intercepted by some men and later the girl was gang raped and then left back home.
Infact inspite knowing the incident AAJVS took no action and both the social worker n the teacher are still moving freely with employment.
Young men in GA community dread going to AAJVS office at Portblair because they are always abused and humiliated by all and sundry at AAJVS.The executive secereatry threatens them to get them arrested by the police.
And when you talk about GA people from AAJVS staff they would always say that GA men are drunkards and GA women are characterless.
Amazingly despite saying that, the reality is, fathers of almost all the newborns in GA community are from AAJVS.
Men in GA community mostly live a lonely and secluded life away from their wives.Most women stay at Portblair and do not have good terms with their spouses.
Yes, there is alcohol addiction among GA men but this vice also has been introduced to them by the social workers and other staff at Strait Island.
General public also shares the same notions about the GA community.They are addressed as 'Junglis' by the local folk.
One of the GA men told us that the fate of the 'Onges', another primitive tribe of Andamans, will be the same.Right now Onges are also catered by AAJVS.
More insights to come.
Orginally GA used to live all across Andaman Islands(from North to South). since 1962, they have been settled in Strait Island-a tribal reserve (a small island around 56 Kms from Portblair) by the Andaman administration. A special committee aptely named Andaman Aadim Jati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) has been entrusted with the upkeep of all primitive tribses including GA.
AAJVS comes under the perview of Tribal Welfare department and is headed by an executive seceretary of commissionar rank.AAJVS provides monthly ration, medical facilities etc to GA.
But today when you talk to any GA, you will find a deep anguish inside them for AAJVS people.
AAJVS staff deputed at Strait Island resort to holding back their monthly ration if their demands were not met.
Some time ago a social worker lured a GA girl to have a physical relationship with him by promising her that he would marry her but later absconded.
In an another incident a teacher deputed at strait island to teach GA children took one of the young girl for outing and later forced her to have sex with him.But the pain did not end there while they were coming back from Carbyn's cove beach (a place in Portblair), they were intercepted by some men and later the girl was gang raped and then left back home.
Infact inspite knowing the incident AAJVS took no action and both the social worker n the teacher are still moving freely with employment.
Young men in GA community dread going to AAJVS office at Portblair because they are always abused and humiliated by all and sundry at AAJVS.The executive secereatry threatens them to get them arrested by the police.
And when you talk about GA people from AAJVS staff they would always say that GA men are drunkards and GA women are characterless.
Amazingly despite saying that, the reality is, fathers of almost all the newborns in GA community are from AAJVS.
Men in GA community mostly live a lonely and secluded life away from their wives.Most women stay at Portblair and do not have good terms with their spouses.
Yes, there is alcohol addiction among GA men but this vice also has been introduced to them by the social workers and other staff at Strait Island.
General public also shares the same notions about the GA community.They are addressed as 'Junglis' by the local folk.
One of the GA men told us that the fate of the 'Onges', another primitive tribe of Andamans, will be the same.Right now Onges are also catered by AAJVS.
More insights to come.
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