Thiek Tawng | A short documentary film | GRACE ROSANGPUI KHAWBUNG | M.Sc class of 2021

THIEK- THE ENDANGERED HMAR LANGUAGE
The Hmars are part of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups of people found in North East India, Burma and Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. They gained recognition as one of the Schedule Tribes as per the 6th Schedule constitution of India in the year 1956. In North East India, they are fragmented over a vast area in Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam. The Hmars have their own recognised literary language ‘the khawsak language’ which is considered as their common language. However, Under the umbrella of Hmar languages, there are several languages in a non- recorded format, which can be considered as endangered languages( as per UNESCO standard of endangered language) of which the Thiek language is part of. Thiek is one of the major sub tribes of the Hmar tribes who have their own language. The speakers of Thiek language are mostly concentrated in Dima Hasao District of Assam. However, speakers of Thiek language are also scattered in Manipur, Meghalaya and Cachar district of Assam. One notable thing is that even at the place or district where this language is still beautifully preserved, there are only around 3126 speakers as mentioned in the only material found in Thiek language which was published in 2016. It is surely a dying language if steps are not taken to preserve this language.
Huonveng village is a home to around 350 populations. In this exquisite village, this Thiek language wonderfully coexists with the Hmar recognised literary language. Here the people pass on their knowledge of Thiek language from generation to generation which may be the reason why from youngest to eldest, they are fluent in Thiek language. This passing of their knowledge on language is also connected to their migration pattern as the majority of the people who are in this village migrated from various villages where Thiek language was and still is prominently used. In the time of globalisation when we are gradually losing our old traditions, cultures and languages, it's very rare to find that there are languages reviving and popularising among the masses. The purpose of choosing this topic is to record and document the existence of Thiek language in N.C Hills District (recently renamed as Dima Hasao) of Assam so that firm steps are taken for the revival of this endangered language.
©GRACE ROSANGPUI KHAWBUNG
2020
Department of Anthropology
University of Delhi

[@davidkungate5083]

Well done 👍Proud of you Grace

[@joelkhawbung]

Țhiek țawng hi hriet châk a um ve khawp el, hre lang chu hmang hmang nuom ka tih

[@jlne]

I thaw tha ie 👍👍

[@mkhawzawl7798]

Well done Grace Rosangpui, keep it💜

[@rkkhawzawl2673]

🙏👍

[@Thiek-eo1cg]

I have always been proud of speaking Țhiek țawng, ni thaw manțhat luot unaunu👍

[@lindatuolor9686]

Grace ni chungah thiek hai kin lawm lut.Pathienin ni hma tieng malsawm pat raw sen ti.

[@jehhmar8563]

Well done ! This is going to be very informative for quiet a lot of people, even within the Hmar community.

[@sarolynelvarte]

You have done an outstanding job for yourself and for our community. Well done Grace.

[@vulzingkhawbung]

A must needed documentary..Helping to preserve endangered languages is important to keep traditions alive. Keep going 👍

[@vincenthekte]

Lawm a um ngar ie

[@Asta-Blackbull]

My maternal grandpa's counsin (L) Pu. Dartinkhup Thiek(Khawzawl) made a phaphlet on rice cultivation in Thiek langaguage in the 90's. But I'm not sure if the copy exist today.

[@bung5476]

This study is only in context of Dima Hasao District....do let me know in detail about that too @ [e-mail] ...would love to be enlightened 💙

[@lalzarremkungate3681]

Aṭhat ngar ie..

[@lydia2287]

Rosangpui you really made us proud.. ❤️❤️❤️ Love you tons Bai

[@robertlthiek1464]

Kin khuo hai an chen hi te ,, Huonveng,Haflong khuo.

[@ltuolorhmar9107]

Hlak kui chu ei har huoi ela....

[@obedkhawbung4719]

Well done Grace...

[@japhethvtuolor5399]

I really appreciate this piece of work. It is worthy of treasure. I hope that this documentary will have a good impact on the speakers of the language in particular and the Hmar community in general. Thanks to all who are taking part in this project.

[@jousangpuijoute4188]

Well done. Very informative work.. 👍👍 Keep it up inkawl nu.

[@maryjoneskhawzawl7793]

❤❤

[@angelchoudhury8362]

Outstanding documentary. Proud of you Grace ❤️

[@lalrawnzotuolor1477]

A ṭhat ie👍

[@digbick4294]

Can you do a Documentary on Faihriem/Saihriem dialect? It would be interesting to here about it.

[@ringnunfelinampui3467]

Well done , proud of u Grace😘👍

[@j.c.zolientluong9513]

Well done Pi Grace. I expect you to document the other Hmar dialects as well. Keep up the good work👍

[@easterramhlusanglungtau1150]

Wow. Good job

[@gracehmingditum3019]

Great work Grace! Keep on doing great things.

[@Phonglo11]

Awesome👍

[@JamesLHmar]

Ava tha de aw.. 👍👍

[@ChalngoTuolor]

Ațhat ie

[@joibumsanghrangkhol5222]

Good work grace...🙂

[@tuolorsofficialchannel3571]

Hmelhriet dam in uma a en an hawi ie!

[@manishabezbaruah5183]

Keep going ❤️

[@sanjeebssingingworld3285]

Very informative 🔥

[@thedominicfamily]

good job sangpui👍

[@lalramsanhekte2572]

Very informative! Good job, Grace.

[@simronhussain9792]

well done grace keep up🤗

[@rebeccahmar6195]

Well done Rsp❤

[@maryjoneslkhawzawl336]

👍👍👍👍

[@vanihekte8787]

👍👍👍

[@irenekeivom2707]

I thawṭha taluo bai😀

[@gospelzate9652]

A bengvar tlak de aw

[@lalengvarhmar7510]

Ka U Nu mama,,,ka suong tak zet che,,ka lo uong el.😇😇

[@wilsonuchiha3994]

Ka like , comment chun k subscribed 😂

[@joycetuolor880]

❤️❤️