Question map
On which one among the follow- ing islands does the Negrito tribe called 'the Onge' live ?
Explanation
The Onge are one of the indigenous Negrito tribes of the Andaman Islands [2]. Historically, they were the sole permanent inhabitants of Little Andaman, the southernmost island in the Andaman group. Today, the Onge community is primarily settled in two specific areas on Little Andaman: Dugong Creek and South Bay. They are characterized by their Negrito physical traits, such as short stature and dark skin, and are believed to have migrated from the Malay Peninsula thousands of years ago [2]. While other Negrito tribes like the Jarawa and Sentinelese inhabit different parts of the archipelago, the Onge are specifically associated with Little Andaman [1]. Their population has significantly declined over the last century due to external contact and disease, leading to their current status as a protected scheduled tribe [2].
Sources
- [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > Islands of the Bay of Bengal > p. 68
- [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > 1. The Negritoes > p. 10