Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabhas of Assam (ITSSA), a conglomeration of eight apex literary bodies of indigenous tribal of Assam has decided to protect all indigenous tribal languages of the region.
It also resolved that the forum will compile a multi-lingual dictionary to enrich the indigenous languages.
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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.
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.
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All presidents 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, Borgoyary said the indigenous tribal people were fortunate enough that they have able to choose leaders of the sabhas to unite all indigenous tribal languages of the region.
He 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.
“We cannot let go extinct of any indigenous tribal languages of great Bodo race, be it Dimasa, Garo, Rabha, Mishing, Karbi, Deuri, Boro etc. It is our responsibility to preserve and promote our language, literature, culture and tradition,” he said.
He also said Kokrajhar was really a main capital of all tribal languages of the region and one should think the protection and survival of all tribal languages from, being extinct.
He also said that the BTC will 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, Kiratas etc 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 of this region much before the advent of the Ahoms, a reasonable part of this region was ruled by Karcharis,” he said.
He also added 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 successes and held sway over one or the other part of the province during the historical times.
He also said names of several places and rivers of this region believed to have originated out of Bodo language which clearly signifies that the Bodo language together with other Tibeto-Burman languages flourished throughout the various parts of this region since historical times.