Jarawa (Andaman Islands)

Ethnic group
group=Jarawa


caption =
poptime=approx. 250-300 (estimate)
popplace=western side of South Andaman and Middle Andaman Islands (India)
langs=Jarawa, classified in the Ongan branch of Andamanese languages
rels=indigenous beliefs, details unknown
related=other indigenous Andamanese peoples, particularly Onge

The Jarawa (also Järawa, Jarwa) are one of the indigenous peoples of the Andaman Islands. Their present numbers are estimated at between 250-350 individuals. Since they have shunned (and even repelled) most interactions with outsiders, many particulars of their society, culture and traditions are little understood. Indeed, the word "jarawa" is an exonym and not their own name (which remains unknown, but may be similar to "önge", which is how their closest relatives call themselves); it means "enemy" or "hostile people" in Aka-Bea.

Along with other indigenous Andamanese peoples they have inhabited the islands for at least several thousand years, and most likely a great deal longer. The Andaman Islands have been known to outsiders since antiquity; however, until quite recent times they were infrequently visited, and such contacts were predominantly sporadic and temporary. For the greater portion of their history their only significant contact has been with other Andamanese groups; the experience of such a lengthy period of isolation almost completely lacking in external cultural influences can at most be equalled by only very few other peoples in the world, if at all. Before the 1800s their homelands most probably ranged over most of South Andaman Island and nearby islets; with the subsequent arrival of Indian and Karen (Burmese) settlers their territory has altered, and they are now concentrated along the western side of South Andaman and Middle Andaman Islands. They are noted for vigorously maintaining their independence and distance from external groups, actively discouraging most incursions and attempts at contact. Of the remaining Andamanese peoples, only the Sentinelese have been able to maintain a more isolated situation, and their society and traditions persist with little variance from their practices they observed before the first significant contacts were made.

The biggest threat to the Jarawa in recent years came from the building of a highway through their forest in the 1970s. The road has opened up their land to settlers, poachers and loggers and the contact with outsiders has also exposed the tribe to diseases that they have no immunity against. In 1998, some Jarawa started coming out of their forest to visit nearby settlements for the first time. Within months a serious measles epidemic broke out.

In 2001 the Indian government abandoned plans for forcing the Jarawa to resettle, and in 2002 it ordered the road to be closed and logging ended due to pressure from non-governmental organizations. The road still remains open however with poaching remaining a serious problem. In 2006 the Jarawa suffered another outbreak of Measles.

ee also

*a French television programme, "Jarawa, La Rencontre Interdite" ("Jarawa, The Forbidden Encounter")- a documentary on the Jarawa.

References

* [http://www.survival-international.org/tribes/jarawa "Jarawa" on survival-international.org]
* [http://www.survival-international.org/news/images/jarawa survival-international.org Jarawa photos]
* [http://www.indiatogether.org/2003/oct/adv-gtroad.htm Jarawa and The road to destruction]