Indian Antiquary Vol 03

SR No.: 032495
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 420
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 193

JUNE, 1874.]
ANDAMANESE HOME," PORT BLAIR.
171
VISIT TO THE ANDAMANESE "HOME" PORT BLAIR, ANDAMAN ISLANDS.
BY V. BALL, M.A., GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. In the following paper I do not intend enter- smoking--that being one of the few accomplishing into any general account or history of the ments they have learnt from their contact with Andaman Islanders, but shall simply confine my. civilization. Calcutta poko, which is the Andaself to a description of a visit which I paid to the manese name for tobacco, is in great demand with "Home" established by the Government of India, them now. After a little preliminary shyness bad in connexion with the convict settlement at Port worn off, they did not hesitate to search our pockets Blair, for the purpose of commencing the civiliza- to see if we carried any with us. tion and inspiring the confidence of the hitherto The simplicity of the clothing arrangements untamed aborigines of the Andaman Islands. of the Andamanese is well known, the elaborate
On the 8th of August 1869, in company with toilets of civilization being represented by a leaf, Mr. Homfray, who is in charge of the Andamanese which is worn by the women suspended from Home, and Assistant-Surgeon Curran, I started girdle of ratan or pandanı fibre. Sometimes this from Viper Island, in Port Blair, to visit Port pandanns fibre is so beaten out as to form a bushy Mouat and the Home at Mount Augusta.
tail. Close to the landing-place at Homfray's Ghết or the various ornaments worn by the women, there is an old kitchen midden, in which the valves none seemed more extraordinary than the skulls of oysters, Arcas and Cyrenas, were abundant. of their defunct relatives, festooned with strings of
Mr. Homfray told me that the present race of shells, which some of them carried suspended from Andamanese do not eat oysters-a rather singular their necks. (See Plate.) fact, and suggesting the possibility of there having Those who had recently lost relatives were in been different inhabitants of this part of the island mourning, which consisted in their being shaved at some former period.
and covered from head to foot with a uniform coatThe road to Port Monat runs along by the side ing of white clay. Non-mourners were more pr of a mangrove swamp, in which Oyrenas abound. less adorned with red clay. These molluscs are eaten by the Andamanese, and Several of the men were amusing themselves the valves, in consequence of their sharp edges, manipulating, with pieces of string, the puzzles of are used as substitutes for knives.
the "cat's-cradle." Trivial as this circumstance Shortly after arriving at Port Mouat, we started at first sight appears to be, it is really one of in a boat for Mount Augusta. As we approached some importance, as it may be used as evidence the shores near to which the Home is situated, a in favour of a primitive connexion between the swarm of little woolly-headed Andamanese struck Andamanese and races inbabiting the Malayan into the waves, and, swimming and diving under Archipelago. Mr. Wallace found the Dyak boys and about the boat, Bo accompanied us to the in Borneo more skilful than himself in the myu. shore.
teries of " cat's-cradle." He says regarding this On reaching the Home, we found that out of the accomplishment" We learn thereby that these 200 individuals who were said to be availing them- people have passed beyond that first stage of savage selves of the shelter and the ration of 2 lbs. of
life, in which the struggle for existence absorbs rice per bead per diem which Government gives the whole faculties, and in which every thought them, the greater portion of the men had gone out and idea is connected with war or hunting, or the in their large canoes to another part of the island provision for their immediate necessities." These to hunt for pigs.
remarks cannot be applied with the same force to The sight presented to our eyes on entering the the Andamanese, whose rank in the scale of civil. Home was most singular, and one not readily ization is lower than that of the Dyaks. to be forgotten. At intervals along both sides Mr. Homfray pointed out one old woman who, there were a number of family groups, variously he said, possessed great influence over the tribe, occupied. Some were boiling rice; others were and acted as arbitrator in all disputes. Until the engaged in cooking pork, which they effect by rule was enforced in the Home of making those placing small strips in a hollow bamboo, which is who came to it give up their bows while remaining then laid on the fire, and the meat, when scarcely there, quarrels not unfrequently led to two parties more than warmed, taken out and eaten.
being formed, who discharged their arrows at one Mr. Homfray assured me that the Andamanese, another even within the walls. A man on either Bo far as he knows, never eat meat in an actually side being struck was the signal for a cessation raw condition.
of hostilities. Of the men present in the Home, several were ! Notwithstanding such outbursts, the Anda..
en