First-ever history of Bom ethnic group being written
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Former Bawm Social Council president Jumlian Amlai has started writing the first-ever history of the Bom ethnic group, reports bdnews24.com.
Amlai said, "The Bawms in Bandarban embraced Christianity in 1927. Because the Bawms did not have an alphabet, Christian priests wrote the Bible and other religious books in the Bawm language using Roman script."
"Since the 1960s, fairy tales, ballads and folk music have been written in the Bawm language using the Roman alphabet. But the practice is on the wane now. I am taking this personal initiative to preserve our own language and culture."
The pioneer Bawm historian has collected source material from Mizoram for his research. Because many Bawm live in Mizoram, written documents and books on Bawms are available there.
Amlai's history will be written in English, but he plans to publish Bawm and Bangla editions later.
He said, "After accepting Christianity, Bawm culture and customs have changed. The old ways including nature worship and a belief in miracles have passed into oblivion.
Amlai said, "The Bawms in Bandarban embraced Christianity in 1927. Because the Bawms did not have an alphabet, Christian priests wrote the Bible and other religious books in the Bawm language using Roman script."
"Since the 1960s, fairy tales, ballads and folk music have been written in the Bawm language using the Roman alphabet. But the practice is on the wane now. I am taking this personal initiative to preserve our own language and culture."
The pioneer Bawm historian has collected source material from Mizoram for his research. Because many Bawm live in Mizoram, written documents and books on Bawms are available there.
Amlai's history will be written in English, but he plans to publish Bawm and Bangla editions later.
He said, "After accepting Christianity, Bawm culture and customs have changed. The old ways including nature worship and a belief in miracles have passed into oblivion.