The term “Negrito” refers to indigenous populations found across isolated parts of Southeast Asia and the Andaman Islands. These groups are distinguished by particular physical traits, offering insights into ancient human migrations and adaptations.
Defining Negrito Peoples
The term “Negrito,” a Spanish diminutive meaning “little black person,” historically describes several distinct ethnic groups. These groups are characterized by physical features such as short stature, dark skin, and frizzy hair. While the term once implied a single population, genetic studies now indicate Negrito groups consist of separate populations with shared ancient East Eurasian ancestry. These populations are primarily found in Peninsular Malaysia, Southern Thailand, the Philippines, and the Andaman Islands. Their distinct physical characteristics are thought to be adaptations to tropical rainforest environments, possibly through convergent evolution.
Presence in India
Within India, the most prominent Negrito populations are the indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands. These include the Jarawa, Sentinelese, Onge, and Great Andamanese. These tribes have largely maintained a hunter-gatherer lifestyle and have existed in significant isolation for thousands of years. The Sentinelese, in particular, remain almost entirely uncontacted, fiercely protecting their territory on North Sentinel Island and resisting external interactions.
The Great Andamanese, once a collection of ten distinct tribes, have faced significant population decline due to external contact, diseases, and loss of territory, with only about 43 individuals remaining as of a 2005 estimate. The Onge, with a population of around 100, and the Jarawa, estimated at about 270 individuals, also represent small, vulnerable populations. Their continued presence and isolation in the Andaman Islands make them particularly significant for anthropological study, offering a unique window into early human societies and their adaptations.
Theories of Origin and Migration
Theories regarding the origins and migratory paths of Negrito populations, especially those in India, often link to the “Out of Africa” theory of human dispersal. Negrito groups are considered descendants of some of the earliest human migrations out of Africa into Asia. Genetic studies, including analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome markers, have provided insights into these ancient lineages. For example, specific Andaman-specific mtDNA haplogroups, M31 and M32, are interpreted as evidence of a rapid dispersal along the Indian Ocean coast around 60,000 years ago.
While some early research suggested a direct link between Andaman Negrito groups and sub-Saharan African foragers based on mtDNA, more recent studies indicate complex genetic relationships. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that Negritos are basal to other East and Southeast Asians, diverging from West Eurasians at least 38,000 years ago. The genetic data indicate that Andaman Islanders have experienced considerable genetic drift due to long-term isolation and inbreeding. Although phenotypic similarities with African populations exist, genetic evidence is inconclusive regarding a common, ancient ancestry between all Negrito groups and African pygmies, suggesting that some shared traits may result from convergent evolution.
Cultural and Societal Aspects
The Negrito groups in India, particularly the Andamanese tribes, traditionally maintain a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. They subsist by hunting wild pigs and monitor lizards, fishing with bows and arrows, and gathering honey, roots, and berries from the forest. They did not practice agriculture until recent times, and their traditional tools included bows, adzes, and wooden harpoons. Historically, they lacked knowledge of fire-making, carefully preserving embers from lightning-induced fires.
Their societal structures are typically small-scale, with a strong connection to their natural environment. The languages spoken by these groups, such as those of the Onge and Jarawa, are distinct and form a significant part of their cultural identity, though many are endangered or poorly understood due to limited external contact. Efforts are underway to document and preserve these unique languages. The Indian government recognizes their vulnerable status and implements policies to protect their autonomy and cultural heritage, particularly for the uncontacted Sentinelese tribe.