Published Paper Details:

The written tradition of Kokborok literature evolved slowly and remained undocumented for a considerable period. A major step toward formal documentation was made with the publication of Kokborma Grammar by Doulat Ahmed in 1897, which is often regarded as the earliest recorded written work in the Kokborok language. However, the participation of women in Kokborok literary writing did not emerge alongside this early development. For many years, women's creative expressions existed largely within the oral tradition and remained absent from written records. The first visible presence of women writers appeared only in 1954, when their works were published in the literary magazine Kwtal Kothoma. Rubi Rung Devi and Nobalaxmi Debbarma stand out as the earliest known women contributors during this period. Rubi Rung Devi's Phunukmukmung, a compilation of riddles rooted in folk culture, and Nobalaxmi Debbarma's Sikla Bai Sikli Rochoblaimai Rochabmung reflect the initial written engagement of women in Kokborok literature. Before these publications, there is no reliable historical evidence of women authors producing written works in the Kokborok language. The entry of women writers introduced new perspectives and themes, drawing from folklore, emotional experiences, nature, and the socio-cultural environment of the community.