Kokborok Day: Tripuri Language Day, History, Significance, Celebration & Facts

4to40.com January 17, 2025 Public Awareness 399 Views

Kokborok Day: Kokborok or Tripuri Language Day is observed to celebrate the Local language of Tripura and work for its development and promotion. Check the date, history, significance, and celebration of Kokborok Day.

On January 19th, the Indian State of Tripura observes this day, also known as Tripuri Language Day, to foster the Kokborok language. The day honours the year 1979 when Kokborok became officially recognized for the first time. This year marks the 47th anniversary of Kokborok Day observed annually to demand the restoration of the ancient language of Tripura, spoken for thousands of years among the Tripuri community of Tripura.

What is the Kokborok Language?

The native tongue of Tripura is Kokborok, also known as Tripuri, and has been used by the local Tripuri people for many, many years. One of North East India’s classical tongues, it. People are referred to as Borok and the language as Kok. Tiprakok / Tripurikok was Kokborok’s previous name. In the northeastern region of India, in the state of Tripura, and the nearby CHT hill tracts of Bangladesh, Kokborok (Tripuri), a Tibeto-Burman language, is one of the main native languages.

One of the Tibeto-Burman languages in the area with the fastest growth and development is Kokborok. The Tripuri clans like Debbarma, Kalai, Reang, Jamatia, Tripura, Noatia, Rupini, Murasing, and Uchoi are the main speakers of the language. The Kokborok language is spoken by the Tripuri community. Kokborok speakers collectively refer to themselves as “Tripuris.”

Some Facts about the Kokborok Language

It is a Tibeto-Burman language widely spoken in the northeast part of India and neighbouring Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh.
It was formerly known as Tipra, its name was changed after the 20th century.
The language is mostly spoken by the Debbarma, Kalai, Reang, Jamatia, Tripura, Rupini, Uchoi, and Murasing peoples.
Radhamohan Thakur was the first person to write Kokborok. He wrote the Grammar of Kokborok named “kokborokma” published in 1900.

Date:

The day will be observed for the 47th time on January 19, 2025. The language of Tripura, Kokborok, is also referred to as Tripuri or Tiprakok. The state government of Tripura, India, designated Kokborok as an official language in 1979, along with Bengali and English. And to commemorate the special occasion, this day is celebrated as Kokborok Language Day every year.

Kokborok Language Day: History

Kokborok, originally known as Tiprakok is the official language of Tripura. It was a common dialect for people during the rule of Tripuri kings in the Kingdom of Tipra from the 19th century till the 20th century. The only recognized language of Tripura, Kokborok was declared an official language of the state by the state government in 1979.

Significance:

It is stated in the Tripura Kings’ Chronicle that “Koloma” was Kokborok’s script. 184 Tripura Kings ruled Tripura for more than two thousand years. The script is currently being revived. Due to numerous socio-political discussions, Kokborok’s script has not yet been finalized, but many people prefer to write it in “Latin script.”

Kokborok Day: Celebration

Through the “Kokborok tei Hukumu Mission,” numerous government and non-government organizations work tirelessly to advance the Kokborok language, art, literature, films, and music. The fact that the Kokborok language is now taught in government schools, colleges, and universities is a great accomplishment for the people of Tripura. The language is still being worked on to further advance and mainstream it.

The Kokborok language is now being taught in public schools, colleges, and universities as part of an initiative to promote it. Since 2015, Khumulwng town has even established a Kokborok book library with more than 5000 titles on the Kokborok language and topics related to it.