Andamanese

Andamanese is a historical umbrella term used to refer to several indigenous peoples of the Andaman Islands, a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal that form part of India's union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These communities traditionally lived as hunter-gatherers and coastal foragers, developing distinct cultures, technologies, and social organizations suited to island environments.

The term encompasses several distinct groups, most notably the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese. Each group has its own languages, customs, and territory within the archipelago. The Andamanese languages are part of the larger Andamanese language complex, and most are now highly endangered or with only a small number of fluent speakers remaining. The cultural and linguistic diversity among the groups has been greatly affected by historical contact, disease, and social change.

Contact with outsiders began in earnest during the colonial and post-colonial eras, bringing profound disruption to traditional lifeways. Epidemics, displacement, and integration pressures significantly reduced populations and altered traditional economies and practices. Some groups, such as the Sentinelese, remain largely uncontacted or resistant to interaction, while others have experienced varying degrees of assimilation or interaction with outside communities.

Today, Andamanese groups are protected under Indian law, with policies designed to shield them from exploitation and the consequences of contact. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation and related protections regulate access to tribal lands and interactions with tribes, especially in highly sensitive areas. While some communities continue traditional practices, overall populations are small and culturally changing, making ongoing documentation and protection a continuing concern.