Here are some of sentiments expressed at the last writing workshop in Ranchi:

The important thing is that if we don’t write down the stories of our grandfathers and grandmothers. Which might seem quite trivial, like the story of how the tiger got his stripes, and if you don’t write them down, then our stories are  completely forgotten, and then the next generation has no wealth of knowledge. Even the smallest little detail might be something that can generate identity and connect the next generation to their heritage. So everything is important. So as a writing community we are hoping to write down and explain what we know, so the future generations will have the chance to understand our legacy.



We have been dependent in passing on through oral tradition, but our generation is at a juncture because we are transferring to a written tradition and we now have a very less opportunity to hear about our ancestors from our forefathers. So it is unfortunate for us not to hear our old stories from our grandparents and pass on to our granddaughters and grandsons our own family stories. We are now very much dependent on digital instruments like mobile and other modern facilities. On one side this is good, but it is also a disadvantage (since we do not share orally). So we have to cope with both and we have to adapt the oral as well as the written. In times past there was no written tradition, we were very much in touch with our language and culture, now it is up to us to write our traditions. But we are forgetting, or are reluctant to know our culture, which is unfortunate. But now we are very optimistic and know we have to save all these things otherwise the coming generation will not know anything.

My most recent visit to Ranchi in Jharkhand, India was the most inspiring of visits. Having completed my book, I still have to write my conclusion. I wanted to wait till after this visit because I would be learning more about a facinating part of their history that they are beginning to celebrate. In 1919 the Adivasi church that my ancestors were instrumental in founding gained its autonomy. One of the first native churches in India, well before national independence, to receive its independence (from missionary control). The intention to have a self-sufficient, self-administrating church was the original intention of the Gossner missionaries, including my great great grandather, Ferdinand Hahn. I attended a conference this time, as the church begins to revisit and revision the significance of this autonomy. I learned a great deal and was glad to be part of such important conversations. I do feel much better prepared to write the conclusion that will reveal that the vision Ferdinand Hahn had for the church and the people to whom he devoted his life, pretty much came to fruition.

While I was there I thought I would see if there were others interested in Preserving our Heritage. When I first came two years ago, I had hoped that I would be able to learn by talking to people about their history. I discovered that many people, like me, had little knowledge of their heritage. Even so I also saw that there was a keen interest in learning their heritage. My hope is that my book, and the books my father translated into English of histories of the church written in German, will open people to discover their own heritage. For in writing about my great great grandfather, I also wrote the story of their heritage. I feel that there is still much more work to be done.

The culture of the Christian Adivasi continues to be predominantly oral. The generation and keepers of the old stories are going away. If this generation does not preserve stories, many of them will be lost. While I was there I met with twelve others who were keen to write more about their heritage, and to create a community of writers that will encourage each other in the process. There are easily twice as men who I met who are keen to join such a community.

I have decided to start a new blog that will follow the journey this writing community from Ranchi will take as they venture into discovering, writing and preserving their heritage stories. Each blog will be from our conversations, with some samples of writing.