The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-22
THE DWARFs or THE ANDAMANs.
They Look Like Darby Babies All Their
Lives. and Are Genuine Little Snvages.
Isou, fhe ri ILad<Iuhia Ii.usa

From the Philadelphia Times.
A remarkable chronological collection from
the Andaman Islands has just reached the Ma.
tional Museum. 1t comprises a large number
Of objects illustrating the arts and industries
Of the strange race of dwarfs which inhabit an
archipelago In the Bay of Bengal. Sailors have
long known them somewhat disrespectfully as
Little NigRers," because the average height Of
the mon is only about 4 feet 10 inches. while
the ordinary stature of the women is 4 feet Z
inches. Perhaps the oldest thing about them
is that they look like babies all their lives. seem.
ing never to grow up. Withal they are proba-
bly, the most primitive savages in the world.
rico GiElioli, director of the Florence Museum.
recently, have not known how to make fire. On
one of the Islands Of the archipelago is an nc.
tive volcano from which they were accustomed
tervals. Special expeditions for this purpose
we're not often necessary. inasmuch as they
knew how to keep fire burning In decayed wood
for an indefinite length Of time. The people
Of a village. when leaving an encampment with
the intention OF returning In a few days. would
At tho same time they would place a large burn
would SHOULDER for a long While So as to be
easily, rekindled when required. Incidentally
inasmuch as such a log could Be- broken up into
small pieces by hammering II with a stone.
ia Tiff stif m nsth,}a. q cG keeping fire e. in ,s deGayed wood
gers, especially in the interior of the larger isl
ands. where they do not come into contact with
has excited their wonder so much as friction
mR aaG ss.no To produce fire With such ease Oh;
primitive man did not invent dTe; he found It.
discover uses for it. Not until iong ages had
passed did he learn to make fire; it was an ad-
high degree of skill. If you do not believe Il,
Just try to get a spark by means of the wooden
sticks employed by savages for the purpose.
EOrmerlE The dwnrfS of the Andanaps
S %hS app9sasS is I .hsls sh aassis';N'E eI Sa ssse%psi in'
CHANGED to seek refuge on the islands OF the
srchipelago. They were sure to be shot to
ners cast away in that part OF the BAY Of Hen.
gal would be most likely to be massacred even
veterats Hostility of the Little Sis asa1 'n arose
GRGiEinsily , from the cruel practices q Malays,
mans to get edible birds nests and sea Gu.
Snmhers. They used to kidnap the natives and
III them fbo as P slaEss in nssiIghboring countries;
and took every Opportunity Of stealing the from
their c%upidlty. Within recent years they have
BECOME comparatively tractable, however.
o black ino. Their hair is extremely frizzly, So as
in texture and Seldom more than sIit two o. or Is tb nne
inches long. Most OF the women shave their
l,rn once e week, leaving only two narrow
the neck. Many OF the men follow the Same
ppp ice, though the style Is different. q cir
Men sopmetines shave each Others heads, but
available, for 1t Is one of the duties OF the fair
sex IN these tribes to act as BARRIERS. The
razor Is q iiake OF quartz or glass.
These dwarfs, are almost naked. The wo.
wear nothing; The men wear punches of leaves
hsaaSheu 10 iheir knees and wrists. Garters,
wood are common ornaments. Tattooing serves
70 a certain extent as a substitute for raiment.
sSS Sinsh the 40 hot the tatt3oing, As a protection
their bodies with u whitewash OF clay and
%atSr; Efforts to reclaim the Andamanese
suite Of unmixed good, Homes having been es-
tahllshed for their benefit by missionary in.
%tutions, are fat and lazy, spending days To-
Hether in singing, dancing, and f~easting.
II Is an old story that wherever civilization
goes, with rs diseases and whiskey. 1t wipes
out The primitive savage races. The Anda-
eppearing, the death rate far exceeding The
sstlng little people win be praViicaiiy extinct,
They have, delicate. constitutions not being
S 4oDsn rs ~ ssiiiS rac s'Skno'i FRI from Vs, TnlG :! EtS$ !:
extreme limit OF age among them, and, partly
owins 20 dhG gSent mortality ot infant, the av.
years, From lime Ia time epidemics OF measles
other complaints, communicated from the
Their ill-success In rearing their Offspring IL
due In great measure to the custom by witch
eaCN INFANT Is sucked ny the women indis'
In this manner Diseases ara
spread, II is a fact that no idiots or I%nnRtirs
are ever i9upd among the Andamanese.
me Llttle NlgHers had no knowledge of in
toxlcants until the Europeans came. Like
most savages,, they have readily acquired a
taste Tor whiskey, and both men and women
have become inyeterste smokers OF tobacco
II used 70 be supposed that the
were, cannlbals,. but this belief has no fOundas
uon In fact, They express the greatest horror
OF the custom. Marriages among them are
arranged by R~o.betweens, and newly-mArried
arc 50 beshful that commonly they do
not exchange a word or even a look al each
lLhor Tor aOme daYs After the cnramnnu