 Zonal Anthropological Museum of the Anthropological Survey of India is also located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in addition to multiple regions within the territory of the country. Established in the year 1975, the museum is located at the Phoenix Bay, in the heart of Port Blair in South Andaman Islands. One of the prominent attractions for tourists and visitors of the islands, the Zonal Anthropological Museum caters a vivid and informative display on the lifestyle and culture of the tribes who has inhabited the islands. This information encompasses history, social organisation, architecture, economic pursuits, means of transport, art and craft of the people of these islands. The population of these islands includes the inhabitants of pre-colonial period as well as the successive immigrants of the pre and post independence years.
Attracting thousands of visitors every month, the Zonal Anthropological Museum in the islands has a rich collection of artefacts of the Negroid tribes - the earliest inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, along with those of two Mongoloid tribes of the Nicobar Islands. The museum has a huge collection of rare articles, handicrafts, tools, art and craft, implements, photographs, etc., which describe the life during the tribal eras. There are some articles which throw light on the cultural beliefs and traditions of the tribe. Andaman and Nicobar Islands was mainly inhabited by the Negroid tribes, among which Orenge, Sentinelese, Jarawas and Andamanese are most commonly found. They inhabited the land from the prehistoric age and led a life of nomadics in the region. Their nomadic lifestyle has been vividly put on display in the Zonal Anthropological Museum. Along with them, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were also inhabited by two types of Mongoloid tribes, who mainly centred in the Nicobar Islands. These are the Shompens and the Nicobarese. Zonal Anthropological Museum along with the articles also has a wide range of photographs taken in different periods. These depict the structure of the houses, utensils, ornaments and day to day goods used by these tribes, thus providing a good insight into their lifestyle. The museum also exhibits some rare artefacts of the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands which are nearly 500 in number. Around 75 photographs with 5 maps and charts also make up the rich repertoire of the museum. People who are interested to visit the museum may visit between 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., all throughout the year daily except on Thursdays and public holidays when it remains closed. Thus with some rare photographs and artefacts, the Zonal Anthropological Museum is the go to place in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, for those who want to gain in-depth insight into the lifestyle of the nomadic tribes of the Islands, along with their phase by phase evolution and development till the present time. |
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