4. Tribal Verse - Essay - Class 11 - Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jul 2
4 min read

Updated: Jul 3

Author: G.N. Devy

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Essay with Translations of Folk Songs (Literary Commentary + Poetry)

Summary

Tribal Verse by G.N. Devy is an insightful essay that explores the richness of tribal oral traditions in India. The author argues that tribal communities, though marginalized, preserve a deep and vibrant literary culture through oral storytelling, song, and performance. These communities live in close harmony with nature and follow intuitive and sacred ways of understanding time, space, and art. Their creations are marked by playfulness, ritual, and deep emotional and spiritual connections. Devy stresses that literature should not be limited to written texts alone. Oral traditions, passed through generations, are equally valuable but risk extinction due to modernization, print culture, and the dominance of written literature. The essay includes three tribal songs from the Munda, Kondh, and Adi communities—each reflecting a unique worldview on birth, death, and healing. Devy calls for serious recognition of tribal literature as a legitimate and rich form of creative expression and urges efforts to preserve it through translation and academic study.

Character Sketch (of the Author)

G.N. Devy:

A respected scholar, writer, and cultural activist, Devy is deeply committed to preserving India’s oral and tribal traditions. He combines academic rigor with a profound respect for indigenous knowledge systems. Devy believes in redefining literary canons to include oral literature and works tirelessly to document and protect endangered tribal languages and stories.

Themes

Theme	Description
Value of Oral Traditions	The essay argues that oral literature is rich and meaningful, and must be preserved like written texts.
Tribal Connection with Nature	Tribals view nature as sacred and deeply intertwined with human life.
Time and Memory	Tribes value time over space, often maintaining strong ancestral memory through rituals and songs.
Creativity and Performance	Tribal art is collective, performative, and blends ritual, storytelling, and humor.
Language and Identity	Tribal languages are sophisticated and expressive, not mere dialects.
Need for Recognition	The author calls for rethinking what is considered “literature” to include tribal oral works.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Symbolism	Sun/moon in the Munda song symbolize gender; Ridin creeper in the Adi song symbolizes healing.
Personification	Nature is presented as a responsive, living force.
Imagery	Use of vivid descriptions like “oceans fly as birds” and “mountains swim as fish” show tribal imagination.
Contrast	Tribal view of time (intuitive, ancestral) vs. modern view (objective, linear).
Metaphor	“Literature is more than writing” redefines the essence of storytelling.
Irony	Modern society dismisses tribal oral literature despite its depth and artistry.

Title Justification

The title Tribal Verse is appropriate because it captures both the form (verse/song) and the cultural identity (tribal) of the works discussed. The essay centers around tribal oral compositions that function as poetry, history, ritual, and cultural expression. By calling it "verse," Devy elevates these oral traditions to the status of literary poetry, challenging the assumption that literature must be written. The title reflects the central aim of the essay—to give recognition and respect to tribal oral literature.

One-Mark Questions

What makes tribal literature different from mainstream literature?Tribal literature is primarily oral and performative, rooted in rituals and memory, unlike the written nature of mainstream literature.
Why are tribal communities considered bilingual?They often speak their own language and the dominant regional language, enabling communication and cultural adaptability.
What is ‘Miri Agom’?It is a ritual language used by the Adi tribe during ceremonies, distinct from their conversational language, Adi Agom.
What message does the Munda song convey about daughters?It values daughters more than sons, linking their birth to prosperity, symbolized by a full cowshed.
Why does the Kondh song offer a baby fowl to the spirit?To pacify the spirit of the dead and prevent it from troubling the living, in accordance with tribal beliefs.

Three-Mark Questions

How does G.N. Devy highlight the value of oral traditions?
Devy emphasizes that oral traditions hold deep cultural knowledge and artistic value. He argues that by ignoring them, we risk losing a major part of India’s heritage. Through examples, he shows that oral literature is performative, memorable, and emotionally resonant.
What features distinguish tribal imagination from modern imagination?
Tribal imagination is dreamlike and intuitive, blending myth, nature, and time. It allows for talking animals, flying oceans, and ancestral communication. Unlike modern art which is linear and structured, tribal creativity is fluid and hallucinatory.
What do the tribal songs reveal about tribal values and worldview?
The songs express strong bonds with nature, deep respect for life and death, and community-based healing practices. They reflect a belief in spiritual balance, ancestors’ presence, and the importance of collective memory and ritual.

Value-Based Question

What can modern societies learn from tribal cultures about living in harmony with nature and community?

Modern societies often prioritize profit, speed, and individualism, leading to disconnection from nature and tradition. Tribal communities, on the other hand, view nature as sacred and value rituals, memory, and emotional expression. By learning from their holistic lifestyle, we can foster ecological responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and a deeper sense of belonging.

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