Mizo writer Darchhawna (left) at the Tribal Literary Conference in Ranchi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, April 28: Mizo writer Darchhawna, who was awarded the Padmashree recently, praised tribal literature at a conference here today.

He spoke on the concluding day of the Tribal Literary Conference and said tribal literature is as rich as any other literature in the world.

Referring to elements of poetry in tribal literature, he said a poem describes the beautiful nature and its close association with mankind.

Tribal scholar writer K. Vasamalli, who presented a paper titled ?Status of Tribal Women?, said most tribal women were looked down upon, even by the educated members of their communities.

?Those who are educated enter government-run offices. They immediately feel superior and do not take part in the activities of their society because they feel that interacting with anyone who is not of their status would mean insulting themselves. This kind of behaviour is really sad and does not at all point towards good education,? he said.

Tribal scholar writer from Maharashtra Latari Kawadu Madaavi said: ?Tribals are the first to bring about civilisation. Indus-valley scripts are their major contribution. Outsiders are simply jealous and their invasion is simply to bring about an end to the tribal culture.?

He has even filed a case in Maharashtra High Court demanding a ban on burning the effigy of Ravana and his other clan members during Durga Puja every year.

Speaking on his paper, ?Future of tribal literature?, tribal scholar-writer from Nadurbar district of Maharashtra, Vaharoo Sonvane said: ?Tribal literature, be it songs, arts or crafts, do not have written scripts, when any literature, in order to stand the tests of time, needs to be preserved in print.?