Indigenous tribes of Northeast have inter-Asian linkages: Jishnu Baruah

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Indigenous tribes of Northeast have inter-Asian linkages and connectivity which is the subjects for modern day research, Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah said while inaugurating a seminar "Religion, culture and Archaeology of the Brahmaputra Valley organised by Indigenous & Tribal Faith & Culture Department in collaboration with Navin Sarma Smritichora at Bishnu Nirmala Trust here on Saturday.

"Relations between Indigenous tribes of Northeast with South East Asia especially Yunan province of China is quite evident from the songs and "some words used by the tribes in the Northeast," Baruah said in the seminar which was organised to cocmmemorate the renowned archaeologist Dr Pradip Sarma.

"Ahoms used to call 'Swargedeo' which has similarity with the word Sap-pha used by the people of Yunan province," Baruah said.

Similarly, influence of Yunan province is also evident in the language and culture of several other hill tribes of the region,

Northeast's route linkages with Myanmar and Thailand are significant factors. Northeast stands as the bridge of connectivity between India, Myanmar & Thailand.

Baruah also said that ancient rock inscriptions have turned to temples in many places of Assam and Northeast, which is also a subject of reach and study.

The Chief Secretary said that the Assam Government has created an independent department for the preservation and promotion of indigenous faith and culture. "Assam has many tribes with their unique customs and religious beliefs. We have decided to preserve their culture and faith with institutional support through this new department," the Chief Secretary also said. Baruah also recalled his relationship with archaeologist Dr Pradip Sarma and urged his family members for publication of unpublished works of Dr Sarma and said that these writings will bring out many trutus about history and civilisation of the region.

He also remembered several other administrative officers who had contribution towards history and archaeology of the state from the British era to post-Independence period.

He also stressed the need for more study and research on important archaeological sites at Tezpur, Sivasagar and other places of the state.

Secretary of Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department, Seema Rekha Bhuyan said there is a need for discovering and documenting the archaeological sites in the State.

Former head of History of Gauhati University, Dr Bharati Baruah said detailed study and documentation of archaeological sites are yet to come up, which is the need for younger generation of the state.

The welcome address was given by Deputy Director of Archaeological Department, Ranjana SarmaDr Pradip Sarma's younger son Sandip Kaushik also spoke on the occasion.

The president of 'Navin Sarma Smriti Chora', Dr Chayanika Sarma, convenor Dr Pradip Sarma also graced the occasion. Altogether 31 researchers of Gauhati University, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, Directorate of Archaeology, Pandu College, Darrang College presented their research paper in the seminar.

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