The Nicobarese share a strong bond with their land and only a few we spoke to had traveled outside the island.
Young boys are cued on to the latest Hindi film songs, sport trendy t-shirts, some on the ship had streaked hair.
Known to be honest and simple, an outsider relates an anecdotal instance about them as a people -- "I once saw a Nicobari fishing, and noticed that he threw one fish back into the sea. When I asked him why? He said he only needed four for his evening meal so he threw back the extra one."
With temporary shelters for tribals built keeping the 'tuhet' system in mind -- one unit large enough to accommodate a large joint family -- there has been speculation that the small sized homes may disintegrate the 'tuhet' system.
But Philip disagrees. "There is no threat to the 'tuhet' and our culture will remain. 'Tuhet' is the strength of our villages."
Text and photograph: Archana Masih; Design: Dominic Xavier