Zonal Anthropological Museum, Port Blair

The Zonal Anthropological Museum (ZAM) in Port Blair is an important tourist center situated in the heart of the town. In 1978, the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre opened a small Zonal Anthropological Museum under its proposed plan with a collection of rare specimens illustrating various facets of the tribal life of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In 2004, the Museum was shifted to its present new building of Middle Point, Port Blair. The Zonal Anthropological Museum is a three-floor building, and each floor has a number of hexagonal-shaped exhibition halls. The display depicts the story of human evolution in general, the rich culture, and the way of life of tribal people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands in particular. The ethnographic objects, serving as museum specimens, are primarily collected from communities such as Jarawa, Sentinelese, Onge, Great Andamanese, Nicobarese, Shompen, Karen, Burmese, Moplah, Bhantu, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu, etc. The inquisitiveness of tourists towards Andaman & Nicobar Islands revolves around how the little-known tribal communities or the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), like Jarawa (Ang), Onge, Great Andamanese, Sentinelese of Andaman, and Shompen of Nicobar Islands, have been surviving in the remote isolated forest since time immemorial. To catch a glimpse of these small populations, tourists to the island have been thronging in large numbers over the years. In short, to experience, rather than just having an abstract understanding of the culture of Andaman and Nicobar people in general, and tribal cultural diversity in particular, one should visit the Zonal Anthropological Museum of the Anthropological Survey of India, Port Blair.

Collection 

The ethnographic artefacts housed within the Zonal Anthropological Museum (ZAM) provide a rich array of socio-cultural diversity, primarily sourced from indigenous communities of the Andaman archipelagos such as the Jarawa, Sentinelese, Onge, Great Andamanese, Nicobarese, Shompen. These artefacts offer invaluable insights into the unique lifestyles, traditions, and belief systems of these communities, reflecting their rich heritage and enduring resilience. Furthermore, the museum's collection includes artefacts from other ethnic groups like the Karen, Burmese, Moplah, Bhantu, Bengali, Tamil and Telegu, etc, for further enriching the understanding of the region's cultural mosaic. As of today, there is a collection of more than ……. ethnographic objects which are enlisted in the accession register. The objects are collected through fieldwork by the officials of this organization. The museum's artefacts are kept in pedestals, cabinets, racks, and almirahs based on the need to preserve them better. Through careful curation and display, the museum serves as a repository of knowledge, offering visitors a glimpse into the intricate social fabric and historical narratives of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It stands as a testament to the diverse identities and experiences that have shaped the region, fostering appreciation and understanding across cultural boundaries.

Facilities

Details of available facilities in ZAM                                     

1.      Drinking water

2.      First aid kit for medical emergency

3.      Bathroom and Sanitation Facilities

4.      Mothers corner 

        5.   Audio Visual Room 

        6.   Computerized Ticket 

 7.     Lift for senior citizens and specially abled persons

Visitors footfall