Q1 of 15 Page 173

How does ‘A Munda Song’ show that the perspective of the tribal mind towards the girl child is different from that of (other) mainstream communities?

A Munda song is known to be sung at the birth of a son or daughter and it invariably communicates their close association with nature. The birth of a daughter is associated with a cowshed full of cows and that of the son with its depletion. It is therefore clear that the daughter is considered to be a more precious asset than the son. This is probably because, in Munda society, the women have a dominant role to play in the various economic, social and ritual activities.


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3

Discuss the following in pairs or in groups of four

Because India’s tribal communities are basically bilingual there is a danger of dismissing their languages as dialects of India’s major tongues.

 4

Discuss the following in pairs or in groups of four

While tribal communities may not seem to possess the scientific temper, there are many ideas from tribal conventions that could enrich modern societies.

 2

How does ‘A Kondh Song’ substantiate the tribal urge to gain domination over time by conversing with their dead ancestors?

 3

‘Adi Song for the Recovery of Lost Health’ is in Miri Agom while Adi Agom is the Adi community’s language for routine conversation. How does this reflect upon the high level of language sensitivity of the Adi? Can you think of other parallels in modern languages between the literary variety and the colloquial variety?