International Indigenous Day: NA Chair Dahal Urges Digital Preservation of Indigenous Languages and Knowledge

Kathmandu — Chairperson of the National Assembly, Narayan Prasad Dahal, has said that it is now essential to bring indigenous languages into use through digital platforms.

Speaking at the “Promoting Indigenous Knowledge System” programme held on Thursday, August 7, at Basantapur Dabali, he made this remark. The event, marking the 31st International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, was jointly organised by the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, UNESCO Nepal, and FAO Nepal.

Chairperson Dahal said, “Using artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, we can preserve and promote globally the disappearing languages, scripts, oral traditions, songs, stories, arts, and medicinal knowledge of indigenous nationalities. For example, Nepal Bhasa of the Newar community is now available on Google — this is the proper use of technology.”

He further informed that this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is being celebrated with a focus on the languages and traditional foods of indigenous communities. He added that participating in such programmes is a way to honour indigenous identity. The United Nations had decided in 1994 to mark August 9 as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, and Nepal has been observing this day since then.

President of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Gelje Lama Sherpa, said that the 31st International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples would be celebrated grandly this time through a week-long programme. He added that the occasion is also an opportunity to raise voices before the government and relevant bodies.

According to the Chairperson of the Indigenous Nationalities Commission, Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar, indigenous communities have been struggling for their rights for a long time. “Eighty percent of the world’s food-related knowledge is based on the traditional skills of indigenous peoples,” he said.

President of the National Indigenous Women’s Federation, Ngimi Sherpa, stated that women play a major role in preserving indigenous foods and traditional knowledge. She stressed the need for everyone’s attention as indigenous peoples are being displaced from their homelands in the name of development.

Vice-chairperson of the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, Resham Gurung, shared that Nepal Bhasa and Tamang have already been made official working languages in Bagmati Province, and efforts are underway to give similar status to Magar and Gurung languages in Gandaki Province.

The programme featured cultural processions from the Newar, Tharu, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, Sunuwar, Bhujel, Majhi, Chhantyal, and Thami communities. Similarly, the Tharu Welfare Society (THAKS) showcased Tharu delicacies. The dishes included snails (ghonghi), Anadi rice, bhakka, gangata, mahua liquor, dhikri, bariya, ber pickle, chichchar, khurma, and jaar broth.

According to THAKS Chairperson Premilal Chaudhary, dishes from the eastern to the western regions were presented. Traditional snacks of the Newar community were also on display.

The event was attended by National Assembly member Suresh Ale Magar, Member of Parliament Urmila Majhi, former presidents of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Nagendra Kumar Kumal and Jagat Baram, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Indigenous Journalists (FONIJ) Lucky Chaudhary, President of the Student Federation Chandra Prasad Chaudhary, among others.

The programme was conducted by Member-Secretary of the Foundation, Gyanendra Pun.