Reviving Indigenous Voices: A Pivotal Consultation for Language Preservation in Bangladesh

Molly Barua

A pivotal gathering of intellectuals, policymakers, and cultural stalwarts unfolded at the National Consultation on the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, held at the International Mother Language Institute (IMLI) in Dhaka on February 26–27.

Orchestrated by UNESCO, IMLI, Zabarang Kalyan Samity, and the Maleya Foundation, the event was a monumental step toward fortifying indigenous languages against the precipice of extinction.

The consultation commenced with gravitas, as UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, Dr. Susan Vize, delivered a compelling inaugural address, setting the tone for an event suffused with urgency and scholarly vigor.

UNESCO’s Kizzy Tahnin moderated the session, which opened with the national anthem, a minute of silence for language martyrs, and a poignant traditional prayer for nature, embodying the profound link between language and the environment.

The inaugural session was graced by Professor Dr. Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Director of IMLI, Barrister Raja Devasish Roy, Chakma Circle Chief, Raja Sachingprue Chowdhury, Mong Circle Chief, and Gidison Pradhan Suchiang, Khasi Mantri from Moulvibazar.

Their discourses painted a sobering picture of linguistic attrition, as deforestation, land dispossession, and cultural erosion continue to strip indigenous communities of not only their heritage but also the very words that encapsulate their symbiotic relationship with nature.

Barrister Raja Devasish Roy illustrated this grim reality by explaining how the disappearance of rivers and forests leads to the extinction of vocabulary tied to those ecosystems.

He cited “Haja,” a saline soil lava vital for deer, which vanishes as streams dry up—just as irreplaceable indigenous lexicons fade with environmental degradation.

Raja Sachingprue Chowdhury echoed this, urging an immediate and collaborative intervention to prevent the obliteration of indigenous linguistic heritage.

Khasi Mantri Gidison Pradhan Suchiang lamented the educational marginalization of indigenous children, many of whom rely on Indian-imported textbooks due to the absence of localized, culturally inclusive curricula.

Consequently, Khasi students grow up studying the life of Mahatma Gandhi while remaining oblivious to the rich historical heritage of Bangladesh—a poignant illustration of the systemic neglect that indigenous languages face.

Linh Anh Moreau, UNESCO’s Asia Coordinator for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, presented the Asian-Pacific action plan, while Barsha Lekhi of UNESCO Nepal illuminated how Nepal is leading national-level efforts to immortalize its indigenous tongues.

Jhimit Jhimit Chakma expressed serious concerns about the ecocidal monoculture plantations (teak and rubber) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which not only ravage biodiversity but also annihilate indigenous linguistic diversity.

Dr. Biswaranjan Tripura underscored the cultural erasure in India’s Kokborok-speaking schools, where Saraswati Puja is celebrated, yet Garia Puja—an indigenous festival—remains unrecognized. He called for equitable cultural representation in educational institutions.

The final session culminated in the unveiling of a captivating collection of Chakma and Tripura stories titled Of Roots and Heritage: Tales from the Hills.

This exquisite anthology features a rich array of folktales gathered from grassroots sources by 20 talented young writers, celebrating the vibrant cultural heritage and enduring traditions of the region.