The term Negrito

Negrito – Indigenous Peoples of Southeast Asia and the Andaman Islands

The term Negrito refers to various indigenous ethnic groups found in isolated parts of Southeast Asia and the Andaman Islands. These groups include the Andamanese peoples of India (such as the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and the uncontacted Sentinelese), the Semang of Peninsular Malaysia, the Maniq of southern Thailand, and numerous tribal communities across the Philippines, including the Aeta, Ati, Mamanwa, and Tumandok. Despite being spread across different regions, these communities share similar physical traits, such as short stature and dark skin, which led early European colonists to group them under the Spanish term Negrito, meaning “little black person.”

Historically, Negrito groups lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers, relying on forest resources, fishing, and foraging. Some groups practiced shifting cultivation. Today, while some still maintain traditional ways of life, many have been forced to assimilate due to encroaching development, loss of land, and discrimination. As a result, many now live on the margins of society and face ongoing struggles related to poverty, lack of education, and limited access to healthcare.

Culturally rich and linguistically diverse, Negrito groups speak languages belonging to different language families, including Austroasiatic, Austronesian, and Andamanese. Their oral traditions, music, crafts, and spiritual beliefs form an important part of their identity and heritage.

Despite centuries of marginalization, Negrito communities are resilient. Their presence provides valuable insights into early human migration, as genetic studies suggest they may be among the oldest surviving populations in Asia, potentially descending from the first modern humans to migrate out of Africa.

Today, preserving Negrito cultures and rights is critical—not only for their survival but also for honoring the unique diversity of the human story across Asia.