article

The institution of captainship: a traditional political system of the Nicobar Islands

Mankind quarterly • 27 (1) • Published In 1986 • Pages: 63-75

By: Reddy, G. P. (G. Prakash), Sudarsen, V..

Abstract

This article discusses and compares the political structures of three islands: Chowra, Carnicobar (Car Nicobar), and Teressa. On Car Nicobar, the basic corporate unit is the ambilineal descent group, or ramage. The head, or captain, of the group manages its collectively held estates, sees that all members are provided for, drafts labor for communal work projects, and mediates disputes. Each village council has a chief who sits on an island council, the highest traditional political body in Nicobar. Each island has an island chief, who presides over meetings and acts as the island’s representative in discussions with government officials. Chowra Islanders have unilineal descent groups consisting of a number of agnatic kin groups. Chowra has no village councils, only an island council whose members are appointed by the island chief. There is no information on the functions of family and kinship groups on Teressa; the island does have village captains, and an island council and chief.

HRAF PubDate

2016

Region

Asia

Sub Region

South Asia

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnographer

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard; 2014

Field Date

1971-1981

Coverage Date

1971-1981

Coverage Place

Car Nicobar, Chawra, and Teressa islands, Nicobar Islands, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Notes

G.P. Reddy and V. Sudarsen

Includes bibliographical references (p. 75)

LCCN

63024971

LCSH

Nicobarese (Indic people)