Volume II, Issue VI, July 2026
Volume-II, Issue-VI, July, 2026 |
Received: 11.07.2026 | Accepted: 22.07.2026 | ||
Published Online: 31.07.2026 | Page No: | ||
DOI: 10.69655/atmadeep.vol.2.issue.06W. | |||
উত্তরবঙ্গের
মেচ জনজাতি: ইতিহাস, সংস্কৃতি ও ঐতিহ্য
ড.
পার্থসারথী মন্ডল, কলেজ শিক্ষক,
ইংরেজি বিভাগ, লীলাবতী
মহাবিদ্যালয়, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ,
ভারত |
The Mech Tribe of North Bengal: History, Culture and Heritage Dr. Partha Sarathi Mandal, College Teacher, Department of English, Leelabati Mahavidyalaya, West Bengal, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
This article
examines the rich and evolving literary tradition of the Mech tribe, an
integral branch of the Bodo-Kachari ethnolinguistic community. Although the
Mech language historically lacked an indigenous script, its adoption of the
Eastern Nagari (Bengali–Assamese) script has significantly contributed to its
literary development. This transition has facilitated the documentation,
preservation, and expansion of a wide range of literary expressions,
encompassing folklore, oral histories, and contemporary belles-lettres, thereby
reinforcing the cultural identity of the Mech people. Distinguished scholars
and cultural leaders such as Dr. Kameswar Brahma and Subin Shoaiba have played
a pivotal role in advocating for the official recognition of the Bodo language
and in promoting Mech literature within the broader linguistic and literary
framework of the region. This article further explores the vibrant oral
literary heritage of the Mech community, which includes myths, folktales,
legends, and social narratives that have historically served as repositories of
collective memory, cultural values, and indigenous knowledge. Sustained efforts
to document, study, and disseminate Mech literature have led to the emergence
of a substantial body of written works that reflect diverse aspects of the
community's social organization, religious beliefs, everyday life, and
relationship with the natural environment. These literary initiatives have
played a crucial role in preserving the distinctive worldview of the Mech people
and fostering their cultural revitalization in the face of modernization and
external socio-cultural influences. Furthermore, Mech literature embodies the
community's indigenous Bathou religious tradition while simultaneously
reflecting the assimilative influences of Hinduism and the Brahmo faith,
thereby revealing the unique spiritual and philosophical foundations of Mech
society. The ongoing growth of Mech literary activity represents a significant
milestone in the preservation of cultural heritage, linguistic empowerment, and
the affirmation of ethnic identity. It ensures that the language, literary
traditions, and cultural legacy of this historically marginalized community are
safeguarded for future generations. Ultimately, this literary renaissance not only
consolidates the cultural identity of the Mech people but also enriches the
diverse literary landscape of Northeast India.
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