Meditations in the shade

Abstract

Considering phenomena like globalization, identity, democracy and political processes such as the autonomy, the authors wrote an historical account of the efforts and initiatives of linguists, personalities, institutions and of the Rama people themselves to save and preserve the Rama language.  The article revolves around Nora Rigby’s memory and personality, who played an essential role in promoting the language.  It evidences two aspects closely connected in the recovery of a language:  the essential participation of some mystical speakers of the language, such as Professor Rigby, and the important role played by a people’s self-esteem.