The Black Hill: A Review

The Black Hill, a novel by Arunachal Pradesh's noted author Mamang Dai, is another must read. Unlike her previous novels, The Black Hill is juxtaposition of the recorded documents of Jesuit priest’s visit to Tibet blended with imagined invented story. It takes the readers back to mid-nineteenth century when the British had started gradual entry into the tribal’s hills territory; the present day Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and its consequences.

It is a story of a daring Abor girl, Gimur; a brave Mishmee man Kajinsha; a French Jesuit priest Father Nicolas Krick and their dreams, their aspirations and the tragedy that follows. It is a story how Krick’s entry into tribal territory affects and what were its consequences. Though it’s a story of a man, a woman and the priest but it also deals with:

True love. Gimur falls in love with Kajinsha hailing from Mishmi Hills of Dau Valley near Tibet border. In spite of belonging from different tribal communities they decide to live together. Gimur leaves her native place to spend rest of her life with Kajinsha whom she loves more than life and god. Both endured the difficulties and troubles together crossing many streams, rivers, hills and mountains and their fate unfolds as the story progresses.

Missionary. This has been illustrated through Father Nicolas Krick’s sole aim to reach Tibet and start a mission there. He was willing to sacrifice everything to accomplish it. In spite of being cautioned, he treks the difficult and deadly route to reach Tibet. He reasons: “I come with no soldiers, no guns. I am alone.  My wish is to travel to Tibet. I will not disturb anyone on the way. I only seek passage through the territory of the Mishmee chiefs.” His presence creates misunderstandings among the natives. Bonding between Kajinsha and Krick, though silent, was very strong.  

The novel also thoroughly deals with how coming of outsiders create an unprecedented tension and restlessness among the natives. This is illustrated through Gimur’s thought: Wherever the migluns-the British  go they bring death and outrage. It justifies her extreme fear, doubt and confusion. “They are armed with an evil wind that starts blowing the moment they set foot anywhere.” Migluns are too determined to give up their plan and it is illustrated though Moi’s words when she says, “They are very clever people, when they want   something they will never leave until they get it. Mark my words I know them.”  Sometimes the novel also reminds the readers of Chinua Achebe’s Things fall Apart. There is some parallel connection between The Black Hill and Things Fall Apart. 

Tribal custom, rituals and superstitious beliefs are appropriately described in the novel. It also explains what happens if their tradition, custom and their superstitious beliefs are disturbed. 

Kajinsha never opposes Krick visits Tibet with an aim to start a mission there. He was for religious harmony.  Kajinsha says, “I believe in life. There may be a chief God, yes but it is better to be friends with all gods. I do not pray like you everyday. But we honour our gods when the kambring tells us. At other time we live. We have a life and our lives are also ruled by gods.”

Treachery, greed and deceit :

The tragedy would have been averted had there been trust, understanding and honesty among the different community and clans. Marpa was cunning and never trusted Kajinsha. Lamet was mean, greedy with grudges against Kajinsha and his clan. He betrays Kajinsha and helps the British arresting him accused of murdering Krick.

Love for land gets an ample space in The Black Hill. Love for land and its importance is frequently illustrated many times. 

For example, the shaman said: “The land belongs to us. It is the soul of our ancestors. Where would we be, what would we   do, without this land?” Kajinsha says: “We read land. Land is our book.

True Friendship and trust is portrayed through minor characters. Though Kajinsha’s own community from different clan has some grudges against him but he has good friends in Chowsa and Zhumsa. They were always with him during the time of his thick and thin. In the earlier days too they were together during hard times. Yong, Lendem, Lasong were all honest which is an evidence of hill people’s true friendship and trust.

Status of women in the past is another theme of the novel. Not only in tribal society but the European women also did not enjoy high status during those time. It is evident when it is said: “Among the migluns too, a woman’s name is forgotten so soon.” 

Written in a beautiful poetic language, the novel will certainly leave an impression upon readers’ minds. The author has used a lot of vernacular words ( Adi and Mishmi) with their meanings and  such use of words has added an extra beauty  to the novel.  Sometime the novel creates some kind of fear and suspense.  And other time they are mesmerized by the beautiful description of pristine   natural beauty of the hills. Though The Black Hill is a juxtaposition of recorded history blended with imagined invented story but, as it says in the prologue, the readers can decide whether this story be true or not. The reader can decide whether to believe, or not. But the narrator believed is that after everything is laid to rest, all that matter is love; and that memory gives life, and life never ends.

Published by  by Aleph Book Company, the novel was released in 2014. This 294-page novel book costly  only Rs 395 and is an interesting reading.