Karen Rice

Karen community originally came from Burma (now Myanmar) and settled in 1925 in North & Middle Andaman. Initially, 12 families from Burma came to Andaman after persuasion by Beroti Officer Dr. H. I. Marshall for clearing jungles in A&N Islands. The word “Karen” was coined by British, whereas Burmese called them as “Kaylin” meaning “polite and good hearted” The present population ofKarens is about 2000 which lives in Webygram, Karmatang, Lataw, Rampur, Lucknow, Burmadera, Basecamp, Borang and Chipo villages in the Middle Andaman

Traditionally they are agriculturist and earn their livelihood by rice farming, making mats, baskets, grain storing bins etc. Karen are by nature artistic and love music, dance, diving, singing and trekking. The senior citizens of Karens mostly lived longer some even up to 100 years which could be due to their love for nature, plants, herbs and hard work. They practice the concept of “early to bed and early to rise” and have only two meals in a day i.e. early brunch and supper. They brought traditional and unique rice land races viz. Khushbuyya, Black Burma, White Burma, Red Burma, Mushley and Nyaw-in etc suiting to their taste and requirements.

Scientific team : R.K. Gautam, P. K. Singh, S.K. Zamir Ahmed and S. Dam Roy