Tarao tribe
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 25 2014:
Tarao Cultural and Literature Society (TCLS) has urged all members of Tarao tribe who are settling at different parts of the State to settle together at Tarao Laimanai, Leisokching, Khuringmul and Heikakpokpi villages.
As Tarao tribe has become an endangered community, there is an urgent need for resettlement of the people of this community together at these four villages to protect the people and their culture, he added.
Speaking at a press conference, TCLS chairman L More Tarao expressed serious concern over ever decreasing population of Tarao tribe due to prevalence of inter-tribe marriage.
He also urged the State Government, NGOs and civil society organisations to extend support to the community in rehabilitation and resettlement of the members of Tarao tribe at these four villages.
He observed that residing together at some particular villages would protect the community from extinction.
Taking part at the press conference, Tribal and Endangered Languages convenor Dr Thokchom Chandramani said that although it has been reported in UNESCO's 'List of endangered languages in the online version of the World Atlas of Endangered Language 2009' that Tarao tribe and their dialect have already disappeared, existence of Tarao tribe was detected during a survey conducted by the Centre for Tribal and Endangered Language, CIIL, Ministry of HRD in 2010 .
Subsequently, L More Tarao was appointed as a resource person in the endeavour to protect the people and culture of the endangered community, Chandramani said.
He added that efforts for promotion and protection of Tarao dialect started during the 11th 5 Year Plan period with the compilation of a Pictorial Glossary and Grammar.
Saying that the number of people who speak Tarao language has come down to below 1000, Chandramani said that inter-tribe marriage and settlement of people of this community in far-flung different villages are the main reasons for the decline of Tarao population.