From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Nov 04 2009 - 06:31:32 EST
Nara Writer Aspires to Preserve And Promote Ancient Language
04/11/2009
http://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/abushus.jpgFrom a linguistic point of
view any given language faces extinction either if it does not constantly
evolve through literature or is more dominated by other languages. Today in
our world, several indigenous languages have lost their traces or even
ceased to exist. In view of this fact, the Eritrean government, with the
collaboration of the Ministry of Education undertook different initiatives
to preserve the country's various indigenous languages, one of which is
using mother tongue as medium of instruction in elementary schools. Nara
language is one of the oldest indigenous languages in Eritrea. There are
approximately over 41,000 Nara speakers. Mr. Dawd Adem Abushush, is the
author of different books in the Nara language. He is the only writer in
Nara language in Eritrea.
Shabait conducted an interview with Mr. Dawd Adem Abushush. Excerpts follow:
Q: Let's start with your background, would you please introduce us with
yourself?
I grew up in the revolutionary school during armed struggle for liberation.
After independence, I continued my education and then went to the UK to
pursue my master's degree. I am a linguist and a writer by profession.
Currently, I am working at the Ministry of Education in Curriculum
Department as Head of the Nara Panel. My job there basically entails
developing curriculum, particularly in the Nara language.
Q: What in your opinion makes the Nara ethnic and their culture unique?
Nara language belongs to the Nilo-Saharan language family especially under
Eastern Sudanese languages. The speakers of this language live in specific
areas predominantly in western lowlands of Eritrea. Traditionally, the Nara
people have their own way of settling disputes, conducting funerals,
traditional laws.. etc. They live in organized settlements and make a living
primarily based on agriculture and animal grazing. However, as with most
cultures and ethnic groups, the Nara are also undergoing numerous social and
cultural changes as a result of the introduction of modern ideas and views.
Most of Nara speakers prefer to use Tigre and Arabic as their second
language, as there are hardly any written materials in Nara.
Q: How many books have you written so far and what genre are they based on?
I have till now published six books. The first book is a composed of
traditional children's stories titled 'Hatara Maarbaas' meaning the first
step; I wrote a continuation of this in my last published book 'Daa Hooga!'.
Then I wrote my second book 'Bana Masalta' about Nara proverbs and their
meanings. My third book, 'Guliyya' includes translated stories for the
youth, following which I wrote a novel based on the true life experiences of
my sister called 'Ferva Nguulaash', meaning dig it out. After she was forced
to marry against her will my sister decided to join the armed struggle for
liberation, which in more ways than one made her life story unique from
others. My sister fought bravely and was wounded six times in her heard,
belly, limbs and back. She is lucky to be alive today after passing through
such sufferings. The hardest part for her was going back home and facing my
father alone. It was really amusing to see a brave freedom fighter fearing
to face her furious father. I believed that her story can be a real source
of inspiration for other women. After this, I published a collection of
poems in a book titled 'Buutaa'. I have also published two other books, a
dictionary from English to Nara as well as Nara phonology.
Q: What made you want to write all your books in the Nara language?
My aspiration is to create as many written materials in Nara as I can and
record historical events and traditional folk stories. I am striving to
make my contribution in preserving and promoting the Nara language. All my
books are distributed to the Nara schools free of charge.
Q: Nara language as well all know had no form of written script till
recently, tell us the challenges you faced during your research time?
Any writer has to gather information in order to publish a good book. For me
finding sources wasn't an easy job. As we know, it was only in 1993 that
Nara language was introduced to the written form, in Latin Scripts, although
there were a number of previous efforts to put it in written form. So there
are hardly any kind of written documents about this language by native
speakers and others. The main reason could be the lack of educated members
of the ethnic group, references and shortage of written materials.
http://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/nara-book1.jpgI was able to publish
my 6th book, only after conducting long years of research ocused on
traditional songs, feasts, dances and the like. Besides the aforementioned
shortcomings, most of the natives have already forgotten ancient customs.
They were amused when they discovered forgotten traditional events
transcribed in my book. I gathered some of the information from European
universities.
Q: How do you asses the development and preservation of Nara language
currently?
As a result of the efforts of the Ministry of Education, there are 17 Nara
schools using Nara as a medium of instruction. We also have 101 teachers and
about 3,000 students. Thus the number of educated people is increasing and
their understanding about preserving language is making progress. And this
advancement is vital in the course of preserving the language.
Q: What is your opinion about Eritrean books in general?
I think we have made a good start as a number of books are being made
available by different authors. Of course we need to strengthen authors'
capacity and promote reading habits through reading clubs.
Q: Do you have any message you want to convey?
Well, Nara is an ancient language which is closely associated with
exceptional dancing, songs, feast and other traditions that need to be
studied by scholars. We need to upgrade and revitalize it in today's world.
Language is an identity of the society that should be passed on to the next
generation.
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