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LUMMER DAI’S 'PRITHIBIR HAHI' SOCIAL SYSTEM AND FESTIVALS OF THE ADIS AS REFLECTED IN THE NOVEL: A DISCUSSION

Parimita Das

Ex student of Gauhati University, , .

Abstract: Novel is the most modern addition to Assamese literature. Assamese novel was born in the second half of the nineteenth century. Of course, a suitable environment and the backdrop required for establishment and development of the novel in Assam were created only in the twentieth century. The novel in Assamese literature is a contribution from Western literature. A novel unveils the picture of a society. The backdrop of Lummer Dai’s novel PrithibirHahi too is the tribal Adi community of . Along with the social mindset of the simple Adi people, personal hopes and aspirations also get reflected in the novel. A clear idea of theAdisociety’s daily lifestyle, customs and traditions, faiths and beliefs, festivals and occasions, natural environment, etc., is derived from the novel. The village headman’s son Kardug falls in love with Gachi and marries her as pertradition; later he falls for Liyi and when, taking advantage of Gachi’s simplicity he tries to put her (Gachi) in trouble by spreading canard against her, the truthful Liyi exposes his conspiracy before the Kebang. In the meleethat ensuesshe dies in front of the Kebang. It can be said that through this story the writer has showcased the entire history of the Adi community. Unalloyed, natural clarity is seen in the language of the novel; of course, considering the simplicity of some of the characters, the language seems to have taken a mature form at places. Through female characters considered to be the epitome of tribal simplicity, the typical endurance, sense of dutyand frankness of tribal women have become prominent in the novel. The main objective of a novel is to portray the real picture of life.In this respect it can be said that PrithibirHahi has succeeded in portraying the actual lifestyle of the Adi community.

Introduction: The individualism brought about by commercial civilisation into a society and the desire to learn from personal experiences can be said to be the main reasons behind the birth of a novel. Don Quixote by Spain’s Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) is generally considered to be the first novel in the West. The first part of the novel was published in 1605 and the second part appeared in 1615. Daniel Defoe’s (1660-1731) Robinson Crusoe published in 1719 is considered as the first novel in the English language. That is, birth of the novel took place in Europe in the seventeenth century and in England in the eighteenth century.1 After that mention may be made of French and Russian novel literature. It was only after the French Revolution that French novel saw real development. In this context the first name that comes to mind is that of Voltaire. On the other hand, Russian novel was born in the hands of Puskin in the beginning of the nineteenth century. His novel The Captain’sDaughter is considered to be the first Russian novel.2 Novel literature made its appearance in different Indian languages as soon as they came in contact with Western education. The same can be said of Assamese novel also. A city-centric culture grew from the middleclass business/working community that arose from the Industrial Revolution. Along with it a scientific mindset and reasoning also took roots in the human psyche. Novel literature is born on the basis of city-centric culture. A conducive environment towards that end is created by values of individuality and spread of humanism.3 The period from the birth of Arunodoy (1846) to the launch of Jonaki (1889) can be regarded as the preparation time for Assamese novel. In this context mention must be first madeof YatrikorYatra that appeared in Arunodoy in parts from 1850 to 1851. Though not a novel,YatrikorYatra did carry future prospects of the novel. After that, mention may be made of novel-like writings like AK Garnier’sKaminikanta (1877), AlokesiBeshyarKotha (1877),RuthorBivaranaruJosephorBivaran (1880) and MrsGarnier’sFulmoniaruKaruna (1877). These novels were mainly in translated form and their chief

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ISSN-2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 06, 2020 purpose was propagation of Christianity. Hence there was no similarity of Assamese taste and mentality with these writings. So far preparation for Assamese novel was concerned, HemchandraBaruah’sBahireRongsongBhitoreKuwaBhaturi (1876) and Padmavati Devi Phukanani’sSudharmarUpakhyan (1884) can also be mentioned. Assamese novel in the real modern senseof the term began to be written in the last decade of the nineteenth century.From the ornamental and artistic points of view, Bhanumoti can be regarded as the first real Assamese novel. After that LakshminathBezbaroa, RajanikantaBordoloi, HiteswarBarbarua, Sarat Chandra Goswami, DandinathKalita, Harinarayan Dutta Barua and quite a few notable novelists of the post Second World War era made noteworthy contributions to Assamese novel literature. After Independence many new streams of Assamese novel came into being. These included streams of tribal novel, biographical novel, Puranic novel, regional novel, science-based novel, river-based novel, etc. In the midst of these developments, one writer who has carved a niche for himself by writing tribal novels is Lummer Dai. Any novel written basically on the social system, customs and traditions, folklore etc., of a particular tribeis called a tribal novel. LummerDai’s novel PrithibirHahi (1963) written on the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is one such tribal novel.

Aims or objectives of study: Many Arunachali writers have enriched Assamese literature by making literary creations in the . Among themLummerDai’s name comes to the mind first. The purpose and relevance of this research paper is to discuss the manner in which the lifestyle of the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh has been vividly portrayed in LummerDai’s novel PrithibirHahi.

Scope of study: Lummer Dai has enriched Assamese literature with four novels. These are: PaharorHileHile (1961), PrithibirHahi (1963), Mon aru Mon (1968) and KoinarMulya (1984). All these four novels are centred round the Adis, a prominent tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. This research paper will deal with only the Adi way of life as mentioned in PrithibirHahi.

Research Methodology: An analytical process is being mainly adopted while discussing this research paper titled Social life of the Adis as portrayed in LummerDai’s novel PrithibirHahi’.

Subject: LummerDai’sPrithibirHahi portrays a clear picture of theAdipeople’s daily life, faiths and beliefs and the natural environment of the land inhabited by this tribe. The social customs, traditions and practices, festivals etc., of the Adi people are clearly portrayed through an attractive story of love and marriage in a simple and appealing language. The story is the life of a novel. An orderly arrangement of the storylends a tremendousamount of variety to a novel. Among all of LummerDai’s novels, PrithibirHahihas beenthe most successful so far the style of arranging the story is concerned. Brief dramatic descriptions, use of settings, placement of ancillary incidents, etc., have lent variety to the story of the novel.On the basis of the novelist’s personal experience, the social mental expression and personal hopes and aspirations of the plain and simple Adi community have been shown distinctly in PrithibirHahi. The story of the novel is set on the basis of the traditional social system of the Adis far from modern urban civilisation. A quote from Hudson is relevant in this regard: “A novel is really great when it lays its foundations broad and deep in the things which most constantly and seriously appeal to us in the struggle and fortunes of our common humanity.”4 In this respect Prithibir Hahi has been able to achieve tremendous success. The story of the novel goes in the following manner – Kardug, the son of the village’s well-to-do residentMinkar, accepts Gachi as his wife as per Adi custom. Later he gets secretly drawn to Gachi’s friend Liyi. Kardug, who has a weakness for beautiful women, also impregnates Karpung, another friendof Gachi’s. He loses interest in Gachi and spreading rumours against her, proposes to Liyi. Recalling the favour she had received from Liyi and her elder brother Libo, Gachi requests Bankong to marry Liyi and get his younger sister married to Libo. She meets Bankong on two nights to discuss the matter. Taking advantage of this, Kardug wins over the powers that be at the Kebang and lodges a complaint against Gachi. Moreover, in order to fulfil his own purpose, Kardug tactfully takes Liyi’s brother Libo to Dibru town and abandons him there. Later when the Kebangmeets, Liyi proves the innocence of Gachi and makes public Kardug’s conspiracy. The enraged 2567

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Kardug attacks Liyiferociously. As a result, Liyi faints and subsequently dies. For the sake of his only sister, Libo walks all the way from Dibru without food and finds his sister in that condition. The story of PrithibirHahi ends in a tragic circumstance. Innumerable nondescript developments that determine the Adi society, lend a helping hand as the story progresses. Even though the love affair of Kardug and Gachi finds prominence in the early part of the novel, in the later stages issues concerning Karpung, Liyi and Libo, Bankong, Gachi’s mother take over. The writer has succeeded in carrying forward the story naturally through varied activities of the characters. The social system of the Adi community has been well reflected in PrithibirHahi. Man is a social being. In the interest of discipline in a society, people frame certain rules and regulations. A disciplined society reinforces relationships among people. The Adi society as portrayed in PrithibirHahi, is also disciplined. Two main platforms of the Adi society are the Mosup and the Kebang. Along with taking forward the story, the writer also tries to unveil the features and social system of the Adis. Mosup is the home for the youths. Some also call it Musup.Unmarried youths become members of this Mosup for five years and spend their nights here to protect the village from dangers and adversities. Meetings and discussions, public trials, community celebrations etc., take place at this Mosup. A Mosup is called by different names by the different sects of Adis. In this regard JN Choudhury writes, “It is known as ‘Dero’ to the Minyongs. The Padams call it ‘Moshup’ while the Milangs and allied groups term it ‘Ngaptek’. The Boris and Ashings again call it ‘Byango’.”5In PrithibirHahi the Mosup is described in the following manner, “Fires burn in the rows of fireplaces inside the spacious Mosup that is three hundred yards long, thirty yards wide and about thirty-five yards high.” The term of the youths of a Mosup comes to an end after completion of five years. After that younger boys become its members. Somewhere in the novel Kardug says, “Every single fireplace is a hero. If the flames of these fireplaces, the life of the village, die out, then neither the Mosup will live nor the village. This Mosup is the nucleus of the village.”6 Even battles and community hunting are controlled from these Mosups. If some information has to be sent from one village to another, then one just has to tell the Mosup. The Mosup also plays a long-term role in shaping the personality of the Adi youths. It is through the Mosup that the Adi youths get lessons for their future married and social life. It is compulsory for the members of the Mosup to follow its rules and regulations with utmost sincerity. But with the changing times, change is taking over the Mosup also. There is no discipline in the rules and regulations of the Mosup. This is clear from just one remark of the Bankong, “……today rules of the Mosup are slackening, there is no discipline at all.”7 In the novel we see the Delong dance being performed at theMosupon the occasion of the Etor festival.“The entire Mosup is shining in the light of the flames. The people coming to witness Delong seem to outnumber even the strands of hair.”8 On the other hand, towards the end of the novel the Kebang is meeting at the Mosup to sort out the problem arising in the conjugal life of Kardug and Gachi. “Today the Kebang is meeting, all the people are gathered there. Soon it will start.”9 The Mosup thus plays an important role in keeping the Adi society in order. Another social system that ensures discipline in the rural Adi society is the Kebang. It is a public trial body. Representatives of the Kebang are elected through the democraticprocess. The Kebang hands ‘ajeng’ or punishment to violators of traditional laws. It settles different problems of the society under the leadership of the village headman. In PrithibirHahi we see that Kardug’s father Minkar is a prominent memberof the Kebang. Kardug charges his wife Gachi with having an affair with Bankong and wants to abandon her. Initially Mingkar refuses to believe the charge brought by Kardug, who is in love with Liyi. He speaks in a grave voice, “Everybody trusts me. And in this old age I am not going to break this trust.”10But he has called the Kebang for the sake of love for his son who swears in the name of God. Still, he seems reluctant to suspect Gachi. He repents as he finds himself in a dilemma. It may be noted that “the main purpose of the Kebang is to establish peace in the society.”11 But in the novel it is seen that even a prominent trial body like the Kebang has not remained neutral.Corruption has crept into even the Kebang that has a name for impartiality. Rights of powerful men seem to have turned the Kebang into someone’s personal property.The Kebang is silent just because Kardug is the son of a powerful man like Minkar. Kardug himself admits how he has won over the Kebang, “Like building a dyke I have raised strong embankments on all sides. I have won over the prominent people.”12 That is why Liyicriticises the Kebang publicly.

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This inhuman mentality taking roots in the mindset of the common people points to the germination of the rule of inequality in tribal society. The writer criticises the Kebang through Liyi just to show his displeasure with the organisation. Towards the end of the novel we find Liyi dying in the hands of Kardug in full public view even when the Kebang is in session. But the Kebang does not take any prompt step to convict Kardug. This seemingly shows that the Kebang has lost its impartial characteristic to a considerable extent.

Festivals and rituals of the Adi society: While taking forward the story in the backdrop of the Adisociety, the writer also describes festivals and rituals of the tribe. Every social and religious festival of the agrarian Adi tribe is connected with agriculture. Beautiful descriptions have been given in the novel of the Etor festival celebrated inJeth-Ahar, Solung festival of Bhado-Ahin, Dorung Puja celebrated during During Puja, Delong dance performed during Etor festival, Ponung of Solung festival, etc. Etor is the main festival of the Adis. About this festival SaratRaibaruah says, “This festival is celebrated in Jeth-Ahar. During this festival prayers are offered to the gods for the wellbeing of the animals. The village boys perform dances during the puja.13 Even in PrithibirHahiLummer Dai has given a beautiful description of this festival. To mark the Etor festival the village boys go hunting. The Delong dance performed in the fullmoon night is a big attraction of this festival. Delong is a man’s dance. It may be mentioned that Delong dance is performed even during other festivals of the Adis. N Mitkong says, “Delong dance is done by males on different occasions such as Lutor, Aran, Yogio, Nokyin, Measo, etc.”14 Generally during the Etor festival celebrated at the Mosup, the Miri or priest chants theories of creation of the plant and animal kingdoms. The main part of the chant includes the genesis of mankind, gods, domestic animals and crops and the relationship developing among them. The former Mosup youths stand at the front and the present Mosup youths stand behind them and repeat what the Miri chants. At the outset the Miri propitiates the Mosup house and the concerning god and then gives a description of the Delong dance. After that he starts singing the main part of the topic. The youths sing after him and go round the Mosup house three times. During the Etor festival the young girls deck out the boys in ornamentsand make them dance like girls. Likewise, the girls too are decked out as boys and made to dance. Thus, the dancing goes on till midnight. To fulfil the necessity of the storyline, the writer gives a detailed description of this Etor festival of the Adis. The description is very cinematic. Solung is the most important among the main festivals of the Adis. The writer has described this festival also in the novel.Solung is celebrated by offering slain pig, methun to propitiate the Goddes of Paddy. About the Solung festival Sarat Rai Baruah has written, “It is celebrated inthe month of July. During this festival rich people treat the poor to the meat of methun. Girls dance after midnight.”15 Along with propitiating the Goddess of Paddy, this festival is also celebrated seeking the wellbeing of the society and the nation. The girls perform the Ponung dance during this festival celebrated during Bhada- Ahin. The girls make a month-long preparation for the dance ahead of the Solungfestival. During this festival the Miri chants Punung and the girls perform the Ponung dance. N Mitkong has written thus about this festival, “Punung is sung by a male person in Solung festival narrating the prayers to deities, legends, mythologies, lores, etc.” Again he writes, “Ponung dance is done mostly in Solung festivals by females.”17While directing the Ponung dance during the Solung festival, the Miri uses a special type of musical instrument called ‘kiring’. Abang songs are another noteworthy component of the Solung festival. Again, it is the Miri who sings these songs. Generally thePonung songs are called PunungAbang. About the speciality of these Abang songs,ErkhTagangTaki writes, “While singing the Abang the Miri must not utter a single wrong line or word.If he does so then it may bring harm to the nation, village or even to him. It may pose a threat even to the girls performing Ponung. This is their strong belief. If the Miri can sing the Abang songs flawlessly then it brings good fortune to the nation, the village and everyone in the society and even puts diseases at bay. A good harvest also ensues.”18 In PrithibirHahi the writer describes the preparations for the Solung festival in a plain and simple manner. On the auspicious day of the Solung festival the Adis partake of ‘apong’. In the novel alsowe get to read, “After finishing her work Liyi extended the cask of ‘apong’ and two bowls to Bangkong who was sitting beside the fireplace.”

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Thus, in PrithibirHahi the author introduces us to the main festivals of the Adis. Of course, it is not that there are no other rituals and festivals among the Adis. Among those even though the writer has mentioned the Dorung festival and consolation songs like Yoigaga, he has not given any detailed description of those. Before Lummer Dai no other writer had made elaborate description of any tribe of Arunachal Pradesh for the Assamese readers. Hence, as a novelist Lummer Dai occupies a special place in Assamese literature.

Conclusion: From the points of view of elaboration on storyline, variety of characters, a realistic portrayal of the Adi way of life etc., LummerDai’sPrithibirHahi is recognised as the best novel. Since the writer belongs to the Adi community, he is very well familiar with the day-to-day life pattern of the Adis.Because of this the picture of thesocio-economic system of the Adis, their religious ceremonies and varied folk events have been given a realistic form in the novel by the writer’s apt hands. Moreover, different aspects of the Adi society like the hopes and aspirations of different characters, love and romance, frustration and hopelessness, cruelty and simplicity have been portrayed in the novel with full confidence.To be precise, the heart-touching story of the life of a group of youths reared and groomed with Adi folk culture is the life force of the novel PrithibirHahi. Even in respect of arrangement of the storyline, style, portrayal of characters, aesthetic sense, simplicity of language and ornamentation,the novel has limitless importance in the national literature. Overall,PrithibirHahi can be a called a document of the Adi society.

Footnote: 1. Sarma,GobindaPrasad:UponyaxaruAssamiyaUponyax,page -15 2. Sarma,Satyendranath:AsomiyaUponyaxorBhumika,page 9 3. Sarma, Satyendranath:AsomiyaUponyaxor Bhumika,page-28 4. Hudson,W.H.:An introduction to the study of Literature,page-132 5. Chaudhury J.N.: Arunachal Panorama,page -149 6. Dai,Lummer: PrithibirHahi,page -62 7. Dai,Lummer: ,,. ,Page -70 8. Dai.Lummer: ,,. ,Page- 62 9.Dai,Lummer: ,,. ,Page- 194 10.Dai,Lummer:. ,,. ,Page-192 11.Dai,Lummer: Prithibir Hahi,page-139 12.Dai,Lummer: ,,. ,Page-192 13.Bhattacharya,Promodchandra(editor),Asomor Jonojati,page-13 14.Mitkong.N.: Customary Laws of the Adis of Arunachal Pradesh,page -7 15.Bhattacharya , Promodchandra (editor): Asomor Jonojati,page-14 16. Mitkong N: Customary Laws of the Adis of Arunachal Pradesh,page -6 17.Ibid. : Page -7 18. Bhattacharya, Promodchandra (editor): AsomorJonojati,page -25 19.Dai,Lummer: Prithibir hahi,page-135

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Das, Amal Chandra (Editor) – AsomiyaUpanyash Porikroma. Panbazar, Guwahati. Banalata. First print, May 2012

Sarma, Gobinda Prasad – UpanyasharuAsomiyaUpanyash. Panbazar, Guwahati. Banalata. First print, June 2015

Sarma, Satyendranath – AsomiyaUpanyashorBhumika. Guwahati, Saumar Prakash. First print, October, 1965

Bhattacharya, Pramod Chandra (Editor) – AsomorJanajati. Dhemaji, Kiron Prakashan. First print.Third edition, October 2008

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Sarma, Hemanta Kumar – AsomiyaSahityatDrishtipat. Guwahati, College Hostel Road. Bina Library. Thirteenth edition, September 2001

Dai, Lummer – PrithibirHahi.BaniMandir. Guwahati, 2004

Hudson, William Henry – An Introduction to the study of Literature, Atlantic Publishers, 2nd edition, 2006.

Choudhury, J.N. – Arunachal Panorama, Dir of Research, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, .

Mitkong, N – Customary laws of the Adis of Arunachal Pradesh, 2002. Itanagar, Dept of Cultural Affairs, Directorate of Research, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh.

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