Folklore artefacts of aboriginal Shompen tribe in Great Nicobar Island, India

Abstract

Material culture of the aboriginal tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is quite delightful as much of the work remains uncovered till date. Preservation and protection of utilitarian knowledge of various tribes is quite essential as it significantly contributes towards developing important strategies by identifying cost effective and sustainable mechanisms. Utilitarian knowledge is an empirical or experiential aptitude developed by a tribe which is passed on from one generation to other and is constantly evolving in response to the changing environment. Artefacts are man-made objects of prehistoric origin. Study of tribal artefacts is being sidelined as preference is being given to edible and medicinal plants. Shompens are semi-nomadic food gatherers and hunters of stone-age civilization inhabiting deep forests of Great Nicobar Island (GNI). Shompen tribe is one of the dwindling mongoloid aborigines and presently it is an ethnic oddity. They are entirely dependent on forest resources and sea products for all their needs. Shompens appear to be an intermediate group between the Andamenese and Nicobarese, as they combine their food gathering and hunting habits with some gardening and herding. Accordingly, the material culture exhibiting their utilitarian habits presents unique scenario. Ethnobotanical studies conducted among the shompens inhabiting Jhaunala, Laful, Shompenhut, East West Road and Kopenheat areas of GNI have revealed interesting information about 43 plants pertaining to artefacts used in shelter, transportation, hunting, fishing, food gathering, ornamentation, cooking vessel, fire drill and dressing purposes. This research article also presents a glimpse of such artefacts developed using forest resources, highlighting their ethnoecological and cultural influences besides tracing out the economic utility of native plant species traditionally employed by the rare and ethnic Shompen tribe of GNI. Further, it provides the baseline data for drawing a road map for critical scientific evaluation of plants and plant products for developing value added products thereby boosting the economy of the region.