Indian Antiquary Vol 59

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 279

JANUARY, 1930] REMARKS ON THE ANDAMAN ISLANDERS AND THEIR COUNTRY
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DDD
their numbers, as the traces of them on overy side in the jungle make me think there are from 80 to 100 men, whereas the Andamanese put down their numbers at 100 all told. They say that they burned a similar hut to this some years ago at Maitlitilek. In the dry weather the Jarawas scatter, hunting and live in their hunting huts.
AA. Main approach A. Pathway. B. Look-out posts. c. Jungle clearing in
front of look:
- out post. Plan of top
D. Mairs fireof hill, with
place, ahoue
which hung hut and
about 300 pig approaches.
skulls. DD Small
fire-places. E. E. Short posts support ing the eaves of the huts. F. F. Long posts support ing the centre
of the roof After exploiting the house we considered what was best to be done. At first we deter. inined to oamp in the house for the night, and for that purpose sent back a party to bring up food. Then leaving a gaard of Police and Andamanese, we went down the main path towards the north. It was very easy going, and though it narrowed from its 15 yard entrance to a path only wide enough for a man, there was no difficulty in getting along. We, however, found no fresh traces, indeed the only track we saw was that of a man who, the Andamanese said, was going to look after the house. They explained that every two or three days in the dry weather a man or two goes to see that nothing is wrong with the house. After proceeding about a mile we again considered what it was best to do, and eventually I came to the conclusion to leave the house and to return. I took one specimen of everything to take back to Port Blair, and left everything else in its place, so as not to frighten the Jarawas. We then returned as fast as we could, reaching the launch at 6 P.M. To-day's expedition was not a hard one. We had had a tramp of 5 miles or so to the camp and e milo further on and back, so the whole day's march was not more than 12 or 13 miles.
February 1st. Started from Port Anson at 6 A.M. and arrived 10-30 A.M. at Port Blair. Received orders to start the next day, and return with Mr. Rogers.
February 2nd.Left Port Blair at 7-45 A.M. and arrived at Daratang at 10-45 A.M. Proceeded on to Jatang at 11-30 A.M. Mot Mr. Rogers and handed him the Superintendent's Sir R. C. Templo's) letter. Returned with him at once getting back to the launch st 4 P.M.
February 3rd. Started at daybreak and anchored in Port Anson harbour at Dum. la-ohôrag at 9 A.M. Started off for the Járawa house in boats at 9.30. On this oocasion We pulled considerably further up the creek so as to avoid as much as possible of the man. grove swamp. On landing we almost at once came on the fresh traclas of five Järawas, so