Author: Rabin Roychowdhury
Publisher: Sahitya Akademi
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 86
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8126012994
Description
The stories collected in this volume represent popular folk tales of yesteryears. Also included are a historical background of the Nicobar Islands, its beliefs, customs and festivals.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been bestowed with immense beauty of nature. What is most significant is the presence of the tribes, the Andamanese and Nicobarese. Most of the tribal customs and rituals have become sullied owing to the onslaught of modernization; what remains largely are the tales of yesteryears.
The Nicobarese culture is thoroughly on oral tradition expressed in folk performances
like folk songs and folk tales keeping in view the tribal milieu and the motifs of folk tales. Also included are a historical background of the Nicobar Islands, their beliefs, customs and festivals.
The excellent illustrations by Swapnesh Chowdhury lend further charm to the stories.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Historical Background of the Nicobar Islands
The Nicobarese and Their Ethnic Lineage
Nicobarese Beliefs and Superstitions
Nicobarese Customs and festivals
Folk Tales
Creation of the Sun and the Moon
Origin of the Nicobarese
The Giant and the Midgets
The Story of a Man who became a Python
Creation of Car Nicobar
Story of the Coconut Palms
Origin of Bats
Origin of Sharks
Might of the Little Folks
Discovery of Chowra
How did the Coco-palms Came to be Grown in Chowra
Revenge of the Chowra People
Origin of the Little One
Ot-Nya-Hum-Ku the Magician
The Devil and the Wild Pigs
Origin of Bompoka Island
Story of a Kind Shark
How a Man was Turned into a Toad!
Why Trees Stopped Moving
The Cruel Mother
Home Coming
The Girl on the Moon
Spell of the Evil Spirit
The Princess and Her Pet Dog
Story of a Boy and a Whale
FOLK LORES
Story of a Foreign Spirit To-sanet
FOLK SONGS
Ma-Toi han-ngen-ton