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| Social Life |
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| Nepal's Languages |
| Republic of Nepal |
| National or official languages | Nepali, Gurung. 22,847,000 (1998 UN). 2,423,840 speakers of Tibeto-Burman languages |
| Literacy rate | 20% to 29%. Also includes Kharia, Urdu 202,208 |
| Religions | Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian |
| Blind population | 100,000 |
| Deaf population | 1,275,776 |
| Deaf institutions | 3 |
| The number of languages listed for Nepal | 121, of those 120 are living languages and 1 is extinct |
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ATHPARIYA
439,312
all Rai languages (1991 census).
Kosi
Zone, Dhankuta District, north of the Tamur, between the Dhankutakhola
in the west and the Tangkhuwa in the east; Dhankuta and Bhirgaon panchayats
Alternate
names: ATHAPRE, ATHPARE, ARTHARE, ARTHARE-KHESANG.
Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.
AWADHI
374,638
in Nepal, 2.03% of the population (1991 census).
Lumbini
Zone, Kapilbastu District; Bheri Zone, Banke and Bardiya districts
Alternate
names: ABADI, ABADHI, ABOHI, AMBODHI, AVADHI, BAISWARI, KOJALI, KOSALI
Dialects:
BAGHELI, GANGAPARI, MIRZAPURI, PARDESI, THARU, UTTARI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, East Central zone.
BAGHELI
Morang
District, Koshi Zone
Alternate
names: BAGELKHANDI, BHUGELKHUD, MANNADI, RIWAI, GANGGAI, MANDAL, KEWOT,
KEWAT, KAWATHI, KENAT, KEVAT BOLI, KEVATI, KEWANI, KEWATI, NAGPURI MARATHI
Dialects:
MARARI, OJHI, POWARI, BANAPARI, GAHORE, TIRHARI, GODWANI (MANDLAHA), SONPARI.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, East Central zone.
BAHING
7,000
to 10,000
Sagarmatha
Zone, Okhaldunga District, south of the Solu River in the Nachedanda ranges,
east of the Melung River to the Thatan River and its tributaries in the
west
Alternate
names: RUMDALI, BAINGE RAI, BAING, BAYING, BAYUNG, BAHING LO, BAYUNG LO
Dialects:
NAMBER SACHA, ROKHUNG, KHALING, BANENGE, DOBO LO, PROCA LO. Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari,
Sunwari.
BANTAWA
35,000
or more, 50,700 to 70,000 including second language users .
'Intermediate
Bantawa' represents most groups.
Morang,
Dhankuta, Bhojpur districts, Koshi Zone, and western Dhankuta District,
Khotang District. Amchoke is in Limbuwan, especially in Ilam District;
Udaipur District, Sagarmatha Zone; Japa District, Mechi Zone. Many villages
Alternate
names: BANTAWA RAI, BANTABA, BONTAWA, BANTAWA Y*úNG, BANTAWA YONG,
BANTAWA DUM
Dialects:
NORTHERN BANTAWA (DILPALI), SOUTHERN BANTAWA (HANGKHIM), EASTERN BANTAWA
(DHANKUTA), WESTERN BANTAWA, CHHINTANG, DUNGMALI (DUNMALI), WALING (WALUNG,
WAL*úNG), RUNGCHENBUNG, AMCHOKE (AMCHAUKE), YANGMA. Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.
BARAAMU
2,000out
of 6,580 in the ethnic group
Gandaki
Zone, North Gorkha District, Takhu village up the Doraundi Khola on the
east side above Chorgate, near Kumhali, about 7 villages. They may be in
Dhading District
Alternate
names: BARHAMU, BRAHMU, BHRAMU, BRAMU, BARAM. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Eastern.
BARAGAUNLE
1,600
to 2,200 or more, including 650 in Kagbeni, 530 to 1,140 in Jharkot, 400
in Purang (1990). Dhaulagiri Zone, Mustang District, 18 villages
in the Kali Gandaki Valley and on the hillsides north of Jomosom up to
Kagbeni, and east to Muktinath; on the plains and along the river
Alternate
names: BARAGAUN, BARAGAON, BHOTI GURUNG
Dialects:
JHARKOT, KAGBENI. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish,
Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.
BELHARIYA
500
to 2,000
Kosi
Zone, Dhankuta District, Belhara village and hill west of Dhankuta Bajar
Alternate
names: BELHARE, ATHPARIYA, ATHPAHARIYA, ATHPARE, ATHPAGARI. Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.
BENGALI
27,712
in Nepal, 0.15% of the population (1991 census).
Mechi
Zone, Jhapa District; Koshi Zone, Morang and Sunsari districts; Sagarmatha
Zone, Saptari District
Alternate
names: BANGALA, BANGLA, BANGLA-BHASA
Dialects:
BARIK, BHATIARI, CHIRMAR, KACHARI-BENGALI, LOHARI-MALPAHARIA, MUSSELMANI,
RAJSHAHI, SAMARIA, SARAKI, SIRIPURIA. Classification: Indo-European,
Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
BHOJPURI
1,379,717
in Nepal, 7.46% of population (1991 census)
Main
concentration in Narayani Zone, Rautahat, Para, and Parsa districts. And
near the India border in Lumbini Zone, Nawalparasi District; Janakpur Zone,
Sarlahi District; Koshi Zone, Morang District; Mechi Zone, Jhapa District
Alternate
names: BHOJAPURI, BHOZPURI, BAJPURI
Dialects:
BHOJPURI THARU, TELI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian,
Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari.
BODO
938
in Nepal (1961 census)
Mechi
Zone, Jhapa District
Alternate
names: BORO, BODI, BARA, BORONI, MECHE, MECHI, MECI, MECH, MACHE.
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo,
Bodo-Garo, Bodo.
BOTE-MAJHI
11,000
(1991 census).
Mainly
Chitawan District, Narayani Zone, near Kumhali
Alternate
names: KUSHAR. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan,
Eastern zone, .
BUJHYAL
5,000
Gandaki
Zone, East Tanahun, south side of Chimkesori Peak, behind Yangchok, near
the Magar. Separated from the Chepang by the Trisuli (Narayani) River
Alternate
names: GHARTI, BUJHEL, BUJAL, WESTERN CHEPANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Chepang.
BYANGSI
1,314
in Nepal or 0.01% of the population (1991 census)
Mahakali
Zone, Darchula District
Alternate
names: BYANSHI, BYANSI, BYANGKHO LWO. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Almora.
CAMLING
10,000
or fewer
Rawa
Valley, Khotang District, Sagarmatha Zone
Alternate
names: CHAMLING, CHAMLINGE RAI. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.
CHANTYAL
2,000
speakers out of 10,000 in the ethnic group
Dhaulagiri
Zone, Myagdi District, Kali Gandaki River valley. Ethnic Chantel also in
Baglung District
Alternate
names: CHENTEL, CHANTEL. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.
CHAUDANGSI
Mahakali
Zone, far western
Alternate
names: TSAUDANGSI, BANGBA LWO. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Almora.
CHEPANG
34,000
or 0.14% of the population
Inner
Terai; Narayani Zone, Makwanpur, Chitwan, and South Dhading districts;
Gandaki Zone, South Gorkha District
Alternate
names: TSEPANG
Dialects:
EASTERN CHEPANG, WESTERN CHEPANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Chepang.
CHHINTANG
100
or fewer
Lower
Arun region, Dhankuta District, Chhintang panchayat, Sambhung and Pokhare,
and Ankhisalla panchayat, Dandagaon
Alternate
names: CHHINTANGE, TELI, CHINTANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern. Nearly
extinct.
CHHULUNG
1,000
or fewer
Ankhisalla
Panchayat, Dhankuta District, end of Chhintang Panchayat
Alternate
names: CHULUNG,CHHOLUNG, CHHILLING. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.
CHOURASE
5,000
or more
Sagarmatha
Zone, Udayapur and Okhaldhunga districts
Alternate
names: TSAURASYA, CHAURASIA, CHAURASYA, CHOURASIA, UMBULE, AMBULE, OMBULE
Dialects:
BONU, UBU. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish,
Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Western.
CHUKWA
100
or fewer
Kulung
Panchayat, Bhojpur District
Alternate
names: CUKWA RING, POHING, POHING KHA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern. Nearly
extinct.
DARAI
7,000
(1991 census)
Inner
Terai, Narayani Zone, Chitawan District. Classification: Indo-European,
Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, .
DHANWAR
16,000
Eastern
hills and plain, inner Terai and Terai south of Kathmandu, Sindhuli Garhi,
Makwanpur District, Narayani Zone
Alternate
names: DHANVAR, DANUWAR RAI, DANUWAR, DENWAR. Classification: Indo-European,
Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan
DHIMAL
15,014
or 0.08% of the population (1991 census)
Mechi
Zone, Jhapa District; Koshi Zone, Morang District.
Dialects:
EASTERN DHIMAL, WESTERN DHIMAL. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Dhimal.
DOLPO
5,000
to 10,000 (1998)
Dolpa,
northern, Karnali Zone, villages of Goomatara, Kola, Tachel, Kani, Bajebara,
Laun, Chilpara, Bantari, Byas, above Dolpa up to Tibet. It is beyond the
mountains west of the upper Kali Gandaki River valley. Confined by the
Dhaulagire Himal on the south and Tibet on the north. Includes the headwaters
of the Karnali River. About 24 small villages scattered over 500 square
miles in Namgang, Panzgang, Tarap, and Chharbung subdistricts
Alternate
names: PHOKE DOLPA, DOLPA TIBETAN. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.
DUMI
1,000
to 2,000
Northern
Khotang District, hills near the middle of the Rawakhola Valley
Alternate
names: DUMI BO'O, DUMI BRO, RO'DO BO', LSI RAI, SOTMALI
Dialects:
BRASMI, KHARBARI, LAMDIJA, MAKPA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Western.
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DUNGMALI
3,000
to 5,000
East
of central Bhojpur District, northeast of the Singtang lekh, bend of the
Arun River between its confluence with the Piukhuwa and the first confluence
with the Piluwa River
Alternate
names: DUNGMALI-BANTAWA, ARTHARE, ARTHARE-KHESANG
Dialects:
KHESANG (KHESANGE). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.
DZONGKHA
Some
in Kathmandu.
Alternate
names: JONKHA, BHOTIA OF BHUTAN, ZONGKHAR, DRUKKE, DRUKHA, BHUTANESE.
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri,
Tibetic, Tibetan, Southern.
GHALE,
KUTANG
1,300
(1992)
Gandaki
Zone, Northern Gorkha District, Buri Gandaki Valley from Nyak, up to and
including Prok
Alternate
names: BHOTTE
Dialects:
BIHI, CHAK, RANA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish,
Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.
GHALE,
NORTHERN
2,500
Gandaki
Zone, Gorkha District, Buri Gandaki Valley.
Dialects:
KHORLA, UIYA, JAGAT, PHILIM, NYAK. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.
GHALE,
SOUTHERN
12,000
Gandaki
Zone, Gorkha District, hills south of Macha Khola
Alternate
names: GALLE GURUNG
Dialects:
BARPAK, KYAURA, LAPRAK. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.
GURUNG,
EASTERN
105,000
or more, 1.23% of the population (1991 census)
227,918
all Gurung languages in Nepal (1991 census)
Western
Dev. Region, Gandaki Zone, mainly Lamjung, Tanahu, and western Gorkha districts.
Possibly some in Manang District.
Dialects:
LAMJUNG GURUNG, GORKHA GURUNG, TAMU KYI. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.
GURUNG,
WESTERN
72,000
in Nepal (1991 census). Northwestern dialect is the largest
227,918
all Gurung languages in Nepal
1.23%
of the population (1991 census).
Population
total all countries 72,000 or more.
Alternate
names: GURUNG, TAMU KYI.
Dialects: SOUTHERN GURUNG (SYANGJA GURUNG), NORTHWESTERN GURUNG (KASKI GURUNG). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.
HELAMBU
SHERPA
5,000
to 10,000
Nuwakot
and Sindhupalchok districts, Bagmati Zone, Helambu area
Alternate
names: YOHLMU TAM
Dialects:
EASTERN HELAMBU SHERPA, WESTERN HELAMBU SHERPA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan,
Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.
HINDI
170,997
in Nepal, or 0.92% of the population (1991 census)
Southern
strip of low country. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan,
Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani.
HUMLA
BHOTIA
Bajura
District, Seti Zone; Humla District, Karnali Zone
Alternate
names: DANGALI, PHOKE. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.
JERUNG
1,000
to 2,000
Around
and above the mouth of the Melungkhola River
Alternate
names: JERO, JERUM, JERUNGE, JHERUNG, JERO MALA, ZERO, ZERUM, ZERO MALA
Dialects:
MADHAVPUR, BALKHU-SISNERI, RATNAWATI (SINDHULI). Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Western.
JIREL
8,000
to 10,000 (1998)
Janakpur
Zone, Dolakha District, Jiri and Sikri valleys, eastern hills. Jiri is
the main area. Others include Chhyatrapa; Lumbini and Nawalparasi districts
Alternate
names: ZIRAL, JIRI, JIRIAL. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman,
Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Southern
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