JARAWAS

Subsistence

The Jarawas are entirely dependent on the forest and seas for their sustenance. There are three major methods of subsistence; hunting in the forests, fishing in seas and creeks and collection of fruits, roots, tubers and honey from the forest. Though the rainforests of Andaman have over 2000 species of flora and fauna, the Jarawa depend only upon limited number. They use  rafts to cross the creeks and don’t venture deep into the sea.

 

 

 

Their major food are the meat of wild pig and monitor lizard, fish, crab, molluscs and honey. The consumption of these foods are also seasonal. They prefer pig meat from May to January as during this period a thick layer of fat develops in the pigs bodies. In the hot months of March April they prefer to eat seasonal fruits like jackfruits,. Honey is also collected between November and May and is stored for the rest of the year.

Learn more about how they hunt, forage and cook.