New Genetic Study Reveals Close Ties Between Nicobarese and Southeast Asian Htin Mal Community

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Tribals in A & N Islands
• Htin Mal community
• Key highlights of the study
• Nicobarese tribe

Why in News?

• A new study reveals that the Nicobarese are genetically close to South and Southeast Asians, particularly the Austroasiatic language-speaking Htin Mal communities in Thailand and Laos. 
• This is the first detailed genetic analysis of the tribe, involving 1,559 samples, published in the European Journal of Human Genetics.
   

Tribals in A & N Islands

• Tribes
  • The tribe-wise population of Scheduled Tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as per Census 2011 is given below:

Image Caption: Tribes of A&N

• Various steps for welfare
  • Communication and Trust-Building with Tribal Communities
    • The Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Administration has established communication channels with the Jarawas to understand their concerns and future needs. 
    • This initiative has enhanced the Jarawas' confidence, leading to improved information sharing about poaching, encroachment, and abuse.
  • Protection of Sentinelese Tribes
    • The A&N Administration follows an 'eyes-on and hands-off' policy for the Sentinelese tribes. 
    • A circumnavigation protocol around North Sentinel Island, developed in consultation with the Government of India, has helped prevent poaching and maintain the tribe's isolation.

Htin Mal community

• About
  • The "Htin Mal" community is a population group residing in mainland Southeast Asia.
  • They are recognized for their distinct ethnic identity and genetic affinity with the Nicobarese people, an indigenous group from the Nicobar Islands.
• Linguistic Affiliation
  • The Htin Mal speak an Austroasiatic language, specifically belonging to the Khmuic branch, which further strengthens their connection to the Nicobarese. 
• Ethnic Distinctiveness:
  • Although genetically similar to the Nicobarese, the Htin Mal have maintained a distinct ethnic identity, showing noticeable genetic drift from the Nicobarese population.
• Significance
  • The Htin Mal are of particular interest to anthropologists and geneticists, as studies have linked them to the genetic ancestry of other groups, such as the Nicobarese tribe.
  • This highlights their role in understanding the ancient migrations and cultural exchanges in Southeast Asia.

Key highlights of the study

• About the study
  • New genetic research on Nicobarese population was conducted by scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and others.
  • The research was conducted using DNA markers inherited exclusively from mothers and fathers respectively, and those from both the parents from among the Nicobarese people. 
  • This is to explore their ancestry and genetic affinities with the South and Southeast Asian populations.
• Key findings
  • The 25,000-strong Nicobarese population appears to have a significant ancestral connection with Austroasiatic populations across South and Southeast Asia.
    •  They could have settled in the region only about 5,000 years ago.
  • The study highlighted the common genetic affinity of the ‘Htin Mal’, a population in the mainland of Southeast Asia, with the Nicobarese.

Nicobarese tribe

• Location and Overview
  • The Nicobarese tribe inhabits the Nicobar Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean, comprising seven large islands, including Car Nicobar and Great Nicobar, along with smaller islands like Little Nicobar and Nancowry.
• Historical Migration and Evolutionary Insights
  • The tribe migrated to the Nicobar Islands 4,500–5,000 years ago, with both men and women relocating.
    • Previous theories suggested that the linguistic ancestors of the Nicobarese settled in the Nicobar archipelago during the early Holocene, about 11,700 years ago.
  • Unlike many early human communities, the Nicobarese evolved differently, linking their livelihood to agricultural practices prevalent in Southeast Asia during that era.
  • The abundance of food from farming enabled population growth and expansion into new territories, including the Nicobar Islands.
• Preservation of Genomic Origins
  • The Nicobarese have preserved their genetic lineage, language, and ethnic identity due to isolation from mainland populations. 
  • Stable DNA markers, which remain unchanged for thousands of years, enabled researchers to trace their genomic past.
• Current Lifestyle and Habitat
  • The Nicobarese, numbering approximately 25,000, thrive in forested areas, living sustainably through rearing pigs, goats, and hens, along with utilizing forest produce like coconut palm.
• Need for Protection
  • Researchers emphasize the importance of protecting the Nicobarese community to limit their exposure to pathogens common among mainland populations. 
  • Their isolation has helped preserve their distinct genomic and cultural identity.

Q.1. What is the significance of the new study on the Nicobarese tribe?

The study highlights the genetic connection between the Nicobarese and the Htin Mal community of Southeast Asia, showcasing their shared heritage and helping understand ancient migrations and cultural exchanges.

Q.2. What is the lifestyle of the Nicobarese tribe?

The Nicobarese, numbering around 25,000, live sustainably in forested areas by rearing livestock such as pigs, goats, and hens, and utilizing forest resources like coconut palms for their livelihood.

Source: Nicobar tribe genetically linked to South and Southeast Asia: Study

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The Hindu