Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabhas of Assam endeavours to protect indigenous tribal languages

Our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR: The Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabhas of Assam (ITSSA), a conglomeration of eight apex literary bodies of indigenous tribals of Assam, has decided to protect all indigenous tribal languages of the region and resolved that the forum will compile a multi-lingual dictionary to enrich the indigenous languages.

The ITSSA consists of Boro Thunlai Afad, Dimasa Laireiding Mel, Deuri Chhuchheba Chhengchha, Garo Sahitya Sabha, Karbi Lam met Amei, Mising Agom Kebang, Bebak Rabha Kraurang Runchum and Tiwa Mathonlai Tokhra and it was formed in the year 2015 with a common agenda to stand united for the preservation and development of socio-economic, civilization, cultural entity in general and language and literature in particular of the indigenous tribal people represented by these eight Sahitya Sabhas.

A five-day workshop on compilation of multi-lingual dictionary was inaugurated at CIT Seminar Hall in Kokrajhar on Wednesday by the deputy chief of BTC, Kampa Borgoyary where president and general secretaries of all eight tribal Sahitya Sabhas were present, besides scholars, educationists and writers of indigenous tribal communities. The deputy chief of BTC also launched the new website of ITSSA.

In his speech, Kampa Borgoyary said the indigenous tribal Sahitya Sabhas had been fighting for protection and survival of their language and literature. He said the Government of India protected all the languages of the country and thus the tribal communities should also work together to protect their own languages.

Borgoyary said, “We cannot let any indigenous tribal language of the great Bodo race become extinct, be it Dimasa, Garo, Rabha, Mishing, Karbi, Deuri or Boro. It is our responsibility to preserve and promote our language, literature, culture and tradition.” He also said Kokrajhar was the main capital of all tribal languages of the region and the BTC would extend all necessary support in compiling a multi-lingual dictionary.

The president of the ITSSA, Gubindo Taid said that before the Aryans entered Assam, people of this region were known as Mlecchas, Asuras and Kiratas and hence it must have been the kingdom of these people. “It is quite possible that the Mongolians, who came to the Brahmaputra Valley in successive waves, brought their language and culture to this region. Much before the advent of the Ahoms, a reasonable part of this region was ruled by Karcharis,” he said, adding that among the Tibeto-Burman people who entered into the Brahmaputra Valley, the most important group was represented by the Bodos, also known as the Kacharis, who built up strong kingdoms with varying success and held sway over one or the other part of the province during the historical times. He also said that names of several places and rivers of this region were believed to have originated out of Bodo language which clearly signifies that the Bodo language, together with other Tibeto-Burman languages flourished throughout various parts of this region since historical times. But today it was a matter of great concern that though the Bodo language managed to occupy its deserving place in the eighth schedule of the Constitution after a series of struggle and sacrifice made by the Bodos and Boro Thunlai Afad, the condition of the other indigenous tribal languages was pathetic and on the verge of extinction.

“Despite specific provisions in the Constitution and the other laws of the land such as the Right to Education Act, 2009, and strong advocacy in the successive documents of National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and National Policy on Education, the tribal languages of Assam have not been given proper place and status in the educational system of Assam even after the completion of 70 years of Independence. This is due to the fact that the Government-Central or State - has failed to give proper attention and take concrete measures to formulate and adopt a suitable and distinct Tribal Language Policy in the State of Assam. Resultantly, the non-Eighth Scheduled Tribal languages of Assam have failed to get their due place by way of being recognized either as medium of instruction even at primary level or as language subject as demanded since a pretty long time by the respective Sahitya Sabhas,” he said.

Taid said at a time when the indigenous tribal languages were at stake, the helping hand extended to the ITSSA by the government of BTC in the form of providing grants-in-aid for compilation of a multi-lingual dictionary in eight tribal languages, besides English, Assamese and Hindi, was definitely a historic step taken on the part of the BTC government under the leadership of Chief Hagrama Mohilary. “It is also historic event in the sense that till this critical juncture of time when the indigenous tribal languages are fighting for their survival, none but the BTC government has come forward to initiate such a venture as a measure to promote, protect, preserve and popularize indigenous tribal languages. The dictionary will provide ample opportunity not only to the tribal people to learn their brethren languages but also the greater Assamese society to lean tribal languages,” he said.

Also read: Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabha Wants Rabha, Mising & Karbi As Medium Of Instruction