Nicobarese Tribe

• 31 Jan 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

A study published in the European Journal of Human Genetics has revised the timeline of Nicobarese migration to the Nicobar Islands. 

What are the Key Findings of the Study on Nicobarese Tribe? 

• Revised Migration Timeline: Previous studies estimated that the Austroasiatic ancestors of the Nicobarese arrived to Nicobar Islands over 11,000 years ago. 
  • The new study, using advanced Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis, corrected this estimate to approximately 5,000 years ago. 
• Genetic Link: The study found that the Nicobarese share ancestral ties with the Htin Mal community(ethnic group native to Laos-Thailand region). 
  • This supports the idea that their ancestors migrated from Southeast Asia, rather than South Asia. 
• Preservation of Genetic Identity: Due to their geographical isolation, the Nicobarese have maintained their genetic identity with minimal external influence. 
  • This has allowed researchers to trace their ancestry more precisely. 
• Linguistic Continuity: Despite their genetic ties to Southeast Asia, the Nicobarese have retained their Austroasiatic language roots (Khmuic branch), linking them to other Southeast Asian populations. 

 

What are the Key Facts About the Nicobarese Tribe? 

• Geography: The Nicobarese live on the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, part of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory. 
  • The Nicobar Islands consist of 19 islands, the major islands are Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Nancowrie, and Great Nicobar, which have both hilly and flat terrains. 
    • Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands. 
• Ethnic Group: The Nicobarese belong to the Mongoloid ethnic group and have a population of over 27,000. 
  • While not divided into tribes, they are classified into six territorial groups: Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa with Bompoka, Central Group, Southern Group, and the Shompen (inland tribe of Great Nicobar).  
• Social Structure: Patriarchal joint family system known as Tuhet. 
  • With no individual ownership, the Tuhet collectively owns land, coconut trees, and pigs. 

  

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims: 

Which of the following have coral reefs? (2014)

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
2. Gulf of Kachchh 
3. Gulf of Mannar 
4. Sunderbans 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 

(b) 2 and 4 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Ans: (a) 

Q. Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’? (2014)

(a) Andaman and Nicobar 
(b) Nicobar and Sumatra 
(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep 
(d) Sumatra and Java 

Ans: (a) 

Q. In which one of the following places is the Shompen tribe found? (2009)

(a) Nilgiri Hills 

(b) Nicobar Islands 

(c) Spiti Valley 

(d) Lakshadweep Islands 

Ans: (b)