The socio-economic conditions of the people of Nancowry islands play an important role in the religious practices and social life of the Nicobarese community.

Most of the people of the islands are of the Christian religion, which was taught to them by a man named John Richardson who translated the New Testament into Nicobarese.

In their conception of the world, they inhabit the kingdoms of the sea, the earth and the sky, which they cross through the magic-religious sphere.

The first matriarchal chief of the Nicobarese was Islon who married Mewalal, tahsildar of Nancowry in 1941–42, and became the most influential person in the Nicobar Islands.

The Nicobarese men value the women economically because they not only take care of household duties, but also tend to the plantations and gardens.

The Nicobarese have a traditionally horticultural economy; they base their monetary existence on the growing of coconuts, pandanus, areca nut palms, bananas, mangoes and other fruits.

Nicobarese are becoming educated over time and they are seen in multiple government jobs as doctors, teachers, policemen and clerks, among other occupations.

[5][6] The recent publication on the intensive ethnographic details of Nicobarese life highlights the different dynamics of their past and present lifestyles.