Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 98

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(MAY, 1920
a great hatred to strangers : they have never made any attempt to cultivate the land, but subsist on what they can pick up or kill 15
“The language of the Andamaners has not been discovered to possess the slightest affinity to any that is spoken in India, or among the other islands.16
“They appear to express an adoration to the sun, the genii of the woods, waters, and mountains. In storms they apprehend the influence of a malignant being, and deprecate his wrath by chanting wild chorusses. Of a future it is not known they have any idea, which possibly arises from our imperfect means of discovering their opinion." 17
II. A Chinese Junk manned partly by Chinese and partly by Burmans, proceeded to the Andaman Islands to collect Bech de mer, sea-slugs (a great treat in Ching) and somewhat resembling a black snail, which the Chinese dry and eat, as well as edible birds' nests which abound there. The crew of the junk which was lying about two miles from the shore observed about eight or ten of the savages approaching the vessel and wading through the water. Upon coming within a short distance of the vessel, they discharged several showers of arrows, which severely wounded four of the Chinese. I have seen their arrows and can well fancy the wounds caused by them would be of a severe nature. Dr. Mouat in his work alludes to them. The Burmans gave immediate pursuit in their boat, and after much diffi culty captured two of the savages. These were brought to Penang by the Chinese
During the chase they were frequently observed to dive and to make their appearance at a considerable distance to elude their pursuers. Several of the arrows were picked up and found to be made of rattans with a piece of hard wood for a point, and a nail or fish one fastened to the extremity in such a manner as to render the arrow difficult to extract, if it once entered the body.
These savages were extremely diminutive in stature, though apparently well formed, and their limbs and arms were uncommonly small. One of the savages was 4 feet 6 inches, the other 4 feet 7 inches in height, and each weighed about 76 lbs. Avoirdupois. They had large paunches, and though they were so small, were in good condition. One was an elderly man of ferocious aspect, who afterwards died of cholera on board ship on the way to Calcutta, the other was a boy of about seventeen years of age and of a good expression of countenance. He subsequently died of delirium tremens as he had contracted the bad
16 The mental limitations of the Andamanese are thus described in the Census of India, op. cit., p. 69 "In childhood the Andamanese are possessed of a bright intelligence, which, however, soon reaches its olimax, and the adult may be compared in this respeot with the civilised child of ten or twedve. He has never had any sort of agriculture nor, until the English taught him the use of dogs, did he ever domes ticato any kind of animal or bird, nor did he teach himself to turn turtle or to use hook and line in fishing. He cannot count and all his ideas are hazy, inaceurate and ill-defined. He has never developed unqided any idea of drawing or making a tally or record for any purpose, but he readily understands & sketch or plan when shown to him. He soon becomes mentally tired and is apt to break down physically under mental training."
20 This is quite true as regards the known modern languages of India and the East, exoopt perhaps as regards some of the terms in Negrito" languages of the Far East,
17 This statement is partly incorrect. For an account of the religion, opperstitiops, pythology and initiatory ceremonies of the Andamanese, see Certimus of India, op. cit. pp. 63.-64.