Nestled in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands sit pretty at the eastern side of India. Known for their heart-stirring views, crystal-clear water, and vibrant corals and marine life, the islands will take your breath away. The place has become a hot travel destination in the recent years.
Apart from its heavenly beaches, remarkable tourist attractions, and thrilling water sports, the islands have a lot more to offer.
If you’re looking for new and interesting things to do in Andaman, taking a sneak peek into the lives of the people must feature on that list. Here’s a gist of what you’re up for.
Inhabitation
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands consist of 572 islands and islets. Of these, Andaman comprises 550 islands while the remaining form part of the Nicobar. Only 28 islands of the Andaman group and 10 islands of the Nicobar group are inhabited. Life at Andaman is said to exist for the past 30,000 to 60,000 years.
Andaman tourism is characterized by the islands’ dense forests that are alive with exotic flora and fauna. The place enjoys a tropical climate with no boiling summers and no chilling winters. The people encapsulated with rich biodiversity live their lives away from noisy cities and traffic jams.
Language
The predominant language of this place is neither Andamanese nor Nicobarese, it’s Bengali! Other widely spoken languages of the region are Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. This is because more than half of the population of the islands is made up of settlers from mainland India. With people from separate cultures and ethnicity, the place is touted as mini India.
Aboriginal tribes
There are six aboriginal tribes namely the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Shompen, and Nicobarese. All these tribes, except the Nicobarese, are primitive ones. The population of these primitive tribes is dramatically low. Some of these have started blending and adopting modern lifestyles.
The Adivasi tribes live their own lives. Jarawa, the primary tribe, is a protected tribe. The people of this tribe do not interact with outsiders. While on your Andaman holidays, refrain from entering the protected area. This is forbidden by law and will incur punishment.
Way of life
The people at the islands live a very simple life. The Great Andamanese are good artisans. They weave baskets and make their own tools, pots, and ornaments of leaves and shells.
The cost of living at the islands is high. But, the inhabitants earn well, enabling them to meet these standards. The locals of the region are acquainted with each other. Though the culture of partying or dining out is not well-known to them, the locals gather for picnics on weekends. . You will not find anyone venturing out after 9:30 pm.
Music and dance
The locals are fond of beats and rhythm. Music and dance are an integral part of their lives and define the richness and beauty of their culture. One of the main dance forms, the Nicobarese Folk Dance, is performed by forming a circle and placing arms on each other’s shoulders. While planning your Andaman trip, watch out for a local festival to experience a musical treat.
The life of the people at Andaman and Nicobar Islands is different from what we are used to. It is delightful to watch them cherish little moments of life. Choose one of the best Andaman Tour Packages, and get a glimpse of little India, now!
NOTE : This is a sponsored post, and views may differ from that of mine.
Picture Courtesy : Pixabay
1 Comment
Bhabani Charan Das
December 21, 2020 at 11:25 AMI like to know some particulars and information about the isles of Andaman . I visited the island in 1999 and thereafter lots of water have flown down the rivers of the world. I am now 86, leave alone in a flat at Chandannagore. As you are aware that all these places here have become highly polluted and severely damaging our health and longevity , I have been thinking of residing at a place with three of my relatlons at a place where life is calm and serene and with list pollution and Andaman seems to meet my requirements. I want to know the cost of land ,whether Govt gives any subsidy to the Central/State govt retired senior citizens in this regard and the average cost of living per month .I also want to know the average cost of construction per sft. May I be favoured with a reply on the enquiry as noted above.Thanks