Tribal societies are going through a transition phase and identity of tribals is being rediscovered through literary writings.

Acclaimed writer and professor of North East Hill University, Shillong, Streamlet Dkhar, was addressing a room full of 35 women authors at the inaugural session of a first-ever all-India tribal women writers' meet at a Ranchi hotel on Thursday.

The two-day meet in being organised by Sahitya Akademi in association with Jharkhandi Bhasha Sahitya Sanskriti Akhra to commemorate the birth centenary of Alice Ekka, the country's first acclaimed woman tribal writer.

'Tribals are currently reeling under the influence of urbanisation. Still we are trying to preserve our culture through our writings, even when many of us do not speak the language,' said Dkhar.

On being asked to comment on the recent ban of The Adivasi Will Not Dance, a book by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, Dkhar said banning a book was not a solution. 'Let the audience decide whether they want to accept a book or not,' she added.

' Hum the, hum hain aur hum rahenge (we were there, we are here and we will be there),' said Vandna Tete, general secretary of Akhra, while emphasising on the existence of tribals over ages.

Devendra Kumar Devesh of Sahitya Akademi said, 'It's high time we recognise the contributions of tribal women in Indian literature.'

Spread across two days, the meet threw light on topics like contribution of tribal women in Indian literature, writings and poetry of tribal women, their life, communication skills and challenges faced.

'Irrespective of differences in lifestyle, all tribals possess an unconditional love for nature,' said tribal scholar writer K. Vasamalli, who came all the way from Tamil Nadu.

'We are really feeling comfortable to share our views here and am glad to be a part of the meet,' said Krairi Mog Choudhury of Tripura.

'It's a rare opportunity to listen to the views of women writers from various tribal communities,' said Sushma Kerketta, a teacher who was among the 50-plus audience.