Context:
The development of a port and airport in the pristine Nicobar Islands “will not disturb or displace” any of the Shompen, the Union Environment Minister said recently.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Shompen Tribe
- The Shompen are one of the most secluded tribes worldwide and are among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India that are least studied.
- They inhabit the dense tropical rainforests of Great Nicobar Island, which is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with approximately 95% of the land covered in rainforest.
- Their territory includes significant ecological sites such as Campbell Bay National Park, Galathea National Park, and the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
Demographics and Lifestyle
- As of the 2011 Census, the Shompen population was estimated at 229, though current numbers remain uncertain.
- They maintain minimal contact with outsiders, embodying a semi-nomadic lifestyle centered around hunting, gathering, fishing, and basic horticulture.
- Shompen societies are organized into small groups, defined by geographic territories along rainforest rivers, moving periodically between temporary forest camps.
Diet and Language
- Their primary diet consists of a variety of forest plants, with the pandanus fruit, locally called ‘larop,’ being a staple.
- The Shompen language features numerous dialects, with distinct linguistic variations even between closely situated bands.
Physical Characteristics and Family Structure
- Physical Appearance: Typically of short to medium height, they have rounded head shapes, narrow noses, and broad facial profiles with distinct Mongoloid traits including light to yellow-brown skin and oblique eyes.
- Family Dynamics: Families are nuclear, typically overseen by the eldest male who manages daily activities. While monogamy is the norm, polygamy is also practiced within their culture.
-Source: Indian Express
