Negrito

An Ati woman, on the Philippines. The Ati are one of the ethnic groups traditionally considered to be 'Negritos'.

Negrito is the name for several ethnic groups from South and Southeast Asia. The name is the diminutive form of Negro. Like the term negro, many people consider it to be offensive. Usually, Negritos have a dark skin, curly hair, and do not grow to be very tall. With many of their features, they resemble the Pygmy people from central Africa. Traditionally, the term 'Negrito' has been used for the following groups:

• The indigenous population of the Andaman Islands
• About 25 ethnic groups on the Philippines, among them the Aeta and Ati
• The Semang and the Senoi on the Malay peninsula
• The Maniq people, in the south of Thailand

The Island Negros, which is part of the Philippines today, was named after the Negritos. Because the term 'Negrito' doesn't allow a precise scientific definition, most scientists (ethnologues) no longer use the term either.