Archive - Preserving Our Heritage Blog

Published on: February 15, 2016

Day 25: 170th Birthday Of Ferdinand Hahn, Our Para Dada

Today there was a brief meeting of the church leaders and HRDC staff to celebrate Ferdinand Hahn"s birthday. I was glad to have a chance to give cake to the people who have been hosting us so graciously. of course we got some more flowers

we sat and had cake first and then lunch and had great conversation. I was able to tell them some of the early stories that I've written already for my novel.

The paper, Prubhat Kabar, had an article that I will translate.

Church History of India Seminar
"To know history and learn from it is important," Mary Girard
Picture l: Mary Girard spoke at the seminar
Picture 2: The audience of the program

by Sanwad Dutta, Ranchi

Translators of the Bible in Kurukh and Mundari languages, German missionaries Ferdinand Hahn (1846-1910) and Dr. Alfred Nottrott, were presented by Mary Girard and Wolfram Peetz Nottrott. Remembering their history and learning it is important. They were speaking at a scholarly seminar of the Church History Association of India at the Gossner Theological College Auditorium. No the have come from America.

Translation work was done in Kurukh
Mary Girard said that Karl Heinrich Ferdinand Hahn translated the language grammar of the Orson and A sure people. He translated various portions of the Old Testament of the Bible into Kurukh. in order to serve the people he had to learn the Kurukh language, listen to what the people said, and emphasised education and health services. He worked in Ranchi, Chaibassa, Lohardaga, and Purulia among the forest/hunter people. In Lohardaga, Purulia, and Muzzuferpur he worked among leper families. Consequently the British Government awarded him with the Kaiser-E-Hind (Pratham Shree) for his special services.

The Teacher of Birsa Munda translated the Mundari language.

Secondly, Wolfram Peetz Nottrott told that Alfred Nottrott was the teacher of Birsa Munda. When Birsa Munda was in jail, he went to the jail to meet him. Alfred Nottrott prepared the Mundari grammar and translated the Old and New Testament of the Bible into Mundari. He went to Burju (Kunti), Chaibassa, and Ranchi and worked among the poor.

The leader of the meeting was Rev. T. S. C. Hans. Rev. M.M. Ekka welcomed the other dignitaries. On occasion: Bishop CD Jojo, Bishop Nirmal Mind, Theodore Feierbrandt, Father Emmanuel Barla, Father Augustine Kerketta, Eliazer Topno, Rev Iran Topno, Rev Nirmal Bage, and Rev Neeraj Jackmuck Ekka and other Theological dignitaries.

Today there was a brief meeting of the church leaders and HRDC staff to celebrate Ferdinand Hahn"s birthday. I was glad to have a chance to give cake to the people who have been hosting us so graciously. of course we got some more flowers

Published on: February 13, 2016

Day 23: Goodmorning From Ranchi

This has been the first morning I've been awake enough in the morning to hear India awaken. Each day here has been so full that I sleep deeply and long, and the days start with a jump out of bed to begin the next adventure. But today I woke before five, well rested.

The sounds of the morning in Ranchi are no longer of the distant jackals that are recorded in my anscestor's writings. it is no longer a little town that in unity slumbers while the night watchman keeps guard. Now doors are locked within the walled compounds all guarded by their own watchmen. The city does quiet to a hush in the middle of the night to rise in the morning.

At three over loudskpeaker the Hindu temple began the morning with the chanting of "Ram, Ram, Hare Krishna". At 3:30 the mosque cried out its first of five calls to worship "Lā- ilāha-illā-al-lāh" at 3:45 there was some distant drumming. And then a cock crowed. Intermittent train horns blasted, followed by the thunder of steel speeding down the track.

I only notice now the time. I thought it was later. I thought these calls to worship come later. Or is there more for this Basant (spring season), celebrating these welcomed rains that began after sun set and now taps on the window. Most of the city remains asleep as the gentle showers wash off the dust covered world, as prayers seep into their dreams, as the never ending stream of travelers streak through the night on their steel chariots.

Published on: February 7, 2016

Day 16 Part III The Latest Week In Ranchi

After first few days of some big celebrations, always accompanied by song, dance, and drums, we were able to dig deeper in our understanding of the Adivasi culture. Adivasis prefer this term over tribal, or forest dwellers because they are aware of their long history and connection to their ethnic roots. Adivasis can identify themselves as of the Sarna religion(their original religion) or Hinduism or Christianity. Among the Christians there are various factions. The need to reconcile differences and unify as a people continues to be important for their survival and progress.

Learning that there is a stronge awareness of their history, which includes our anscestors has been a great honor. We've come to gain a profound respect for each other.

For instance Paracleta Minz here shows me her grandfather who told her about working side by side with my great great grandfather, Ferdinand Hahn.

Then going to Purulia and seeing the house still standing where Ferdinand and Doris lived, and their oldest daughter came to visit to give birth to Grete, Wolfram's mother at the beginning of the 20th century. There also we learned more about the work they did among the lepers and what developments occured after they left.

Published on: February 7, 2016

Day 16 In india Part II First Five Days In Ranchi

still not able to post much so this is just a glimpse

Published on: February 7, 2016

Day 16: Sorry For The Delay Had WiFi Challnges Part One Last Few Days In Mumbai

yeah! I figured out how to get on my blog!

So much has passed so first I'll give a photo summary. if these photos will somehow upload. somehow everything got scrambled on this post

Dad and I were treated to great food in Mumbai for the 4 days we were there

we enjoyed our time in West Bandar, Mumbai by the Arabian ocean. of course we saw some Bollywood stars homes.

actually Salman Khan's house is pretty simple. people wait for sitings of the star.

on republic day we enjoyed the Tamil neighborhood with Dorothy and Sandhya

actually Salman Khan's house is pretty simple. people wait for sitings of the star.

Published on: January 25, 2016

Day3: Chimbai neighborhood in Mumbai

I have been trying to make sure that our days are simple and unstressful. We are grateful to have these few days in Mumbai in a comfortable apartment where we can sleep in, if we need, and spend our mornings reading and writing. The bed is flat and sturdy, there's warm water in the shower, the temperature is warm, breezes from off the ocean, the food is aromatic, and the neighborhood is peaceful. Simple delights.

This morning as I was reading -- there are so many good books here by Indian authors I'm only just getting to know. At around seven am I heard the swish swish of a wood broom in the yard below. Two hours later I realised the swish swish was still going on and captured the grounds keeper in the video.