Documentation of Tai Ahom Manuscripts

Digital Archiving of Dead Language

Abstract

Tai Ahom language is an extinct language only practice during the cultural events or rituals of Ahom people. Endangered archives programme of British library is one of the major initiatives taken for the documentation and archiving endangered heritages of all over the world. A project, namely “Documenting, conserving and archiving the Tai Ahom manuscripts of Assam” is an initiative of British Library where total 55 manuscripts collections’ containing 474 individual manuscripts with 15088 images of Sibsagar district of Assam was digitally archived. The study describes various attributes of those collected manuscripts. Analysis of the study shows that most of the manuscripts were created during 18th century in Tai and Assamese language. Various historical, astrological, spiritual writings of our forefathers are there. Some are fortune telling manuscripts, Mantras, Religious prayers are there in the manuscripts.