Nicobari tribe

Nicobari
(Southern Region)
The island of Car Nicobar contains 15 villages namely Parka, Malakka, Tamalu,
Kinyuka, Chuk-Chu-Chacha, Tapoiming, Jaiyanthi, Small Lapathi, Kinmai, Mus Te-Top,
Sawai, Orang, Kinyis and Kakna with a population of 15,781. Sex ratio is 1:0.97.
Their physical features are Mongoloid (it is a clear influence of Burma with prominent
cheekbones, epicanthic fold on eyelid, hairless skin).
They speak Nicobari language (a modified form of Roman) and their script is also
influenced by it (Austro-Asiatic sub-family language).
Nuclear family is the locus of this tribe. 20 Tuhaits (clan of many families make one
Tuhait) exit among them.
Birth Ceremony
Pregnant women can’t go into the kitchen or the church, nor can she eat fish, pork or
meat. Pati-Sang-Neya (place of the childbirth) is strictly prohibited for the entry of any
other person. Ketaku ritual is celebrated in the sixth or the seventh month of the
pregnancy, in which the expectant mother takes a bath and a dinner to the community is
given.
Vinakatkoi ritual is celebrated on the seventh day after the birth and is the naming
ceremony of the baby. Forty days after the birth of the child, the mother takes a sacred
bath. The god parents (the couple who support the child) are responsible for child-rearing
up to the age of twelve, after which the child is return back to its birth parents in a
church.
Marriage Ceremony
Patrilocal and matrilocal marriages are in practice. Ghulam tradition (when the husband
lives in his wife’s house) is very common. Meher (bride wealth in Muslims) is prevalent
among them. Elopement or love marriage is common, but the permission of the priest is a
must. Marriage is completed in three Sundays. If both sides do not finalize the marriage
within the stipulated time, then the marriage is supposed to be annulled. They are Tuhait
(clan) exogamous. Levirate and surrorate marriages are possible. They do not carry out
marriages in the months of November, December, March and April.
Death Ceremony
They neither bury nor burn the dead body. They keep the body in a sandal lotion for 5 to
6 years. After which, they kept the skeleton as a representative of the soul of the dead
person and worship it. The bell of the village (which is hung of a tree) is rung three times
with three strokes generally and in the case of an old person is ring four times with three
strokes to commemorate the death. Pati-Kupah (a place where the dead body is given a
sacred bath) is near to the dead person’s home. Kasang (coffin) is kept in the Pati-Kupah.
Farewell to the soul is celebrated on the seventh day after the death.
The widow can’t come out of the house up to forty days after the death of the husband.
Religion
Currently, 96% Nicobari are Christian. Before the year 1986, they were followers of
Hinduism. There are 10 churches in 10 villages (Mus, Small Lapathi, Kinmai, Big
Lapathi, Chuk-Chu-Chucha, Kinyuka, Tamalu, Parka, Malakka, Kakna, Kimyus, Orang
and Sawai). There are 29 Fathers (priests) are propagating Christianity. 3.8% are Muslim
and 0.2% are Hindus (Tamil Hindus). Four Hindu temples (one each of Durga and
Krishna and one of Murgan – son of Lord Shiva) and three mosques are there. Pongal
festival (14th January) and festival of Murgan (9-December to 1-January) is celebrated.
The Christians celebrate Easter and Good Friday.
They have faith in souls and on the 2nd of November, they worship the souls, but the soul
of a person who has committed suicide is not worshipped. Kan-ha-un (to eat pork)
festival is concerned with prosperity. Kishango Paratin (Moon festival) is celebrated with
different names - Kain-eini-La-uni (in June), Chano-Hayni (in August), Kinrupa (in
June), Hanoyani (in July) and Tanaha (in May).
Nayal-Pa-Aam (in January) is concerned with malevolent souls. Na-Kaya (fishing) is
celebrated in February. Kiluk-Pa-Te is celebrated in March for the collection of raw
coconut.
Crop festival (in April), increase in crop production and number of pigs is celebrated with
the May festival. The month of June is connected with any festival. July is for Ta-mi-
Luana (benevolent) and Ma-Aa-fai (malevolent) spirits. The month of August and
September is the fishing festival and October for environment. November is concerned
with the departure of the soul of the departed people during the calendar year. December
is for welfare of the community. White and black magic are very popular and witchcraft
encompasses this tribe.
Nagmoke tavui (solar eclipse) and taseko (rainbow) have religious importance. Sio
Panam, Yom Panam, Kaoko, Tohatacho, Tosinrol, Tokauri and Kokkoreki are there earth
spirits, which they pray to.
Economy
Coconut and betel nut, supplemented by fishing is the main source of their earning. 12%
of the Nicobari are in government jobs and 14% are in traditional trading. Hunting with
the help of dogs is in practice. Their economy encompasses many spheres – cultivation
(24.62%), fishing (8.52%), horticulture (7.57%), service (13.63%), teaching (1.89%) and
business (2.08%).
Both sexes have equal rights to the property. The Tuhait (clan) and family property are
not transferable at the time of the marriage. The bride or the groom who join the Tuhait
automatically gains these rights.
Education
The Nicobari have 70.39% literacy among them of which 0.35% are postgraduates. Five
primary schools, three junior high schools and two intermediate colleges are their
locality.
Political Organization
Each of the fifteen villages have traditional panchayats, headed by captains and captains
elect chief-captain (headman), who resolves all land disputes, marriage problems.
Every home is equipped with television and dish antenna. They have a telephone
exchange. There are two post-offices in Chuk-Chu-Chucha and Big Lapathi village.
Some Nicobari are engaged in computer education. Football is their favorite game.
Nicobaris have won many trophies at the national level. They are fully familiar with
modernity.
Onge, Jarwa, Santinelese and Shampen have almost the same socio-cultural life as
Nicobari have.