| From A Correspondent |
PASIGHAT, Sep 9: The first day of the 60th Central Solung Festival in Pasighat witnessed the presentation of two significant literary works by veteran writer and social worker Olom Perme of Gune village, highlighting the importance of preserving the Adi community’s traditional knowledge, oral history, language and cultural identity for future generations.
The two books, “Sopi Yekpi & Binngyat” and “Adi E Kensupenam,” were authored by 85-year-old Olom Perme. The books represent years of his memories, observations and knowledge of Adi traditions, beliefs and history.
Perme recalled that he wrote a book as early as 1990, but at the time he struggled to get his writings typed and edited because he lacked knowledge of computers or modern technology. He said his long-pending work finally took shape when he met Tayom Dai, who helped collect, organise and edit his writings.
Speaking about Adi E Kensupenam, Perme said the book attempts to document the traditional understanding of the origins of the Adi people and their relationship with the creation of the earth and the heavens. The narrative draws upon stories and knowledge that he heard since childhood from the Miiri of Donyi-Polo, which remained deeply embedded in his memory.
Perme believes such knowledge should not remain confined to one generation. Instead, it should be documented so that young Adis can understand the stories, beliefs and traditional knowledge that have shaped their community.
He also referred to traditional accounts and prophecies that he heard during his childhood and which he continues to remember even today. By putting such accounts into writing, he hopes to ensure that the knowledge is not lost with the passing of the older generation.
Tayom Dai, vice president of the Adi Agom Kebang since 2016, played an important role in editing and shaping the two books.
Dai said that when he first went through Perme's writings, he noticed numerous challenges involving spelling, unique sounds and the long sounds characteristic of the Adi language. He therefore worked on editing the text, arranging its sequence and preparing the layout while retaining the essence of Perme's original writings.
He appealed to young people interested in literature, art and writing to begin documenting their experiences and traditional knowledge in the Adi language. He further encouraged them to translate such works into Hindi and English so that Adi history and cultural knowledge can reach a wider audience.
The publication received support from Tobuk Dai of Boying village, who sponsored the initiative in recognition of Perme's efforts to document Adi heritage.
Perme's life itself reflects a long association with education and community service. According to his author profile, he began his career as a teacher after receiving Buniyadi Shiksha training at Changlang in 1959. During the 1962 India-China war, he left his teaching job to contribute to restoration and social work in the war-affected areas.
He later served as General Secretary of the Bogong Banggo Kebang from 1968–70, Member Secretary of the Ramro Tulap Committee in 1971 and General Secretary of the Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang from 1995–2000. He also served as Chief Advisor of the Central Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang and was recognised by the East Siang district administration as a renowned social worker in 2010. He currently serves as ‘Tabé Aabu’ of Bogong Gangging.