2. Scripts from bygone era


 SCRIPTS FROM A BYGONE ERA

        A script refers to a collection of characters used to write languages. A language is a method of communication. Language and script are culturally sensitive issues because it touches the core of social element as well as identity. A mother tongue develops a strong foundation for learning additional languages. It not only stimulates their confidence but also develop personal and cultural identity. If people are no longer able to represent themselves, they begin to lose a part of themselves.

        Meetei Mayek is the script which was used by the Meeteis till the beginning of 18th century. It nearly became extinct during the reign of Ningthou Pamheiba (Garibniwaz) due to the destruction of all the sacred Meetei manuscripts. Following this, Bengali script was adopted and is still being used to this day. During the 1940’s and 50’s, Meetei scholars start a campaign to bring back the old Meetei scripts and it is now being taught in schools and colleges. In 1992, it became the first Tibeto-Burman language to receive recognition as an official or scheduled language of India. 

        Meetei has a long tradition of writing. It is not completely clear when the Meetei Puya and Meetei Mayek first came into existence. It originally has 19 Eeyek (indigenous alphabet) including Cheising Eeyek and 9 others which were added later imitating symbols and to facilitate sounds and pronunciation from Bengali sources. 

        One of the unique and interesting features of this script is the naming of every letter after human body parts in Meetei language. 

        According to our ancestors, the Kanglei numeral ꯱˙  (Singthalon Cheising Eeyek Ama /One) is very important. The symbol ꯱˙ Eepung Loinapa Apakpa or Tingpalpa Mapu (the universal Lord) is the starting point of everything and the beginning of all the creations. To the right of this symbol ꯱˙ we see one dot (˙) which our ancestors called 'Eelik' which means blood. This represents the precious blood drops of the creator. Therefore, the symbol ꯱˙(one) is the first Universal cause which represents a spermatozoon with the blood from the Universal Father God.

Numbers in Meetei Mayek

        Another important symbol is the Lom(.), which is used at the bottom of  some Eepi Eyek. The word 'Lom' means lomtharakpa, means derivative. There are 9 Kanglei alphabets that we can adjust accordingly to new words and phrases brought up by changing times by using lom at the bottom of the Eepi Eeyek. 


 ꯀ(kok) by using lom(.)at the bottom of the script we can pronounce ꯒ(gok), ꯁ(sam) as ꯓ(jam), ꯂ(lai) as ꯔ(rai), ꯄ(pa) as ꯕ(ba), ꯆ(chil) as ꯖ(jil), ꯇ(til) as ꯗ(dil), ꯈ(khou) as ꯘ(ghou), ꯊ(thou) as ꯙ(dhou) and  ꯐ(pham) as ꯚ(bham).


       So this shows that instead of using the 9 added letters derived from the Bengali script and vocabulary we can use our indigenous symbol lom(.) in writings. Moreover, the 27 alphabets that we are studying now cannot properly write the Meetei language (Meeteilol) but the original 18 Eeyek (indigenous alphabets) can write it.

            In present times, it is very necessary to learn a global language (English) to communicate with the world. Be it an educational institute or an organization, it plays an important role in today's communication but we should also preserve and have a strong foundation of our indigenous languages and culture and should wisely blend other cultures with our own according to the demands of current times.

- Nongthombam Roni Chanu



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