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Grafik Nepal SOCIAL LIFE
Languages in Nepal P - Y
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Nepal's Languages

PALPA
3,002 (1961 census)
Western, town of Palpa
Alternate names: PAHARI-PALPA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northern zone, Eastern Pahari.

PANCHGAUNLE
Mustang District, Dhawalagiri Zone. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.

PHANGDUWALI
hangduwa village, Pakhribas Panchayat, Chankuta District, directly above the headwaters of the Mugakhola

Alternate names: PHANGDUWALI POTI, PHANGDUVALI. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

PONGYONG
Ilam District, Kannyam Panchayat, Ambikau
Alternate names: PONYON KULUNG, SAMAKULUNG, KULUNG PUN. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern. Nearly extinct.

PUMA
3,000
Northwestern slopes of the Rapcha Range from the highest peaks to the Shwahkola Valley, directly south of the Khotang Bajar
Alternate names: PUMA PIMA, PUMA LA, PUMA KALA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

RAJBANGSI
85,558 in Nepal, 0.46% of the population (1991 census.
Mechi Zone, Jhapa District; Koshi Zone, Morang District
Alternate names: RAJBANSI, TAJPURI, KOCH, KOCHE
Dialects: KURTHA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.

RAJI
3,000 or more
Bheri Zone, Surkhet and Bardia districts, Seti Zone, Kailaki District
Alternate names: RAJIBAR. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Magar.

RANGKAS
Population total both countries 600
Alternate names: RANGKHAS. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Almora.

RAUTE
475, including 130 nomadic Raute (1997 Singh)
Mainly in western Nepal, Seti, Rapti, Bheri, Karnali, and Dhaulagiri zones; Surkhet, Pyuthan, Jajakot, Achham, Doti, Jumla, Dolpa, Banke districts
Alternate names: RAUTYE, HARKA GURUNG, KHAMCHI. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Western.

RAWAT
15,175 in Nepal, 0.98% of the population (1991 census)
Population total both countries 17,175 to 18,175 or more
Alternate names: JANGGALI, JANGALI, JHANGAR, DZANGGALI. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Janggali.

SAAM
Southern Ilam District
Alternate names: SAAM RAI, SAMAKHA, SAAMA KHA
Dialects: BUNGLA, SAMBYA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern. Nearly extinct.

SANGPANG
5,000 to 7,000
From Dingla, Bhojpur District in the northeast to Kharpa in the southwest. The upper ridges south and east of the Rawakhola Valley and adjoining ridges in the northeast where the headwaters of the main tributaries of the lower and middle Arun River
Alternate names: SAMPANG, SAMPANGE RAI, SANGPANG KHA, SANGPANG GUN,

Dialects: TANA, HALUMBUNG (WAKCHALI), SAMARUNG, BHALU, TONGECCHA, PHALI, KHARTAMCHE, KHOTANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

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SANTALI
33,332 in Nepal (1991 census)
Koshi Zone, Morang District; Mechi Zone, Jhapa District
Alternate names: SATAR, SANTHALI, SONTHAL, SANDAL, SANGTAL, SANTAL, SENTALI, SAINTI, HOR, HAR. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Santali.

SHERPA
30,000 in Nepa
Population total all countries 49,895
Alternate names: SHARPA, SHARPA BHOTIA, XIAERBA, SERWA
Dialects: SOLU, KHUMBU, RAMECHAAP. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Southern. More information.

SONHA
10,000
Along Karnali River in western Nepal, Kailali District, Seti Zone; Bheri River, Bheri Zone, Mahakali River, Mahakali Zone.
Alternate names: SONAHAA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone

SUNWAR
30,000 to 40,000
Eastern hills, Ramechhap District, Janakpur Zone, and northwestern Okhaldhunga District
Alternate names: SUNUWAR, SUNBAR, SUNWARI, MUKHIYA, KWOICO LO.

Dialects: SUREL. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Sunwari.

TAMANG, EASTERN
584,097 to 718,048 in Nepal, 3.26% of the population (1991 census).
904,456 all Tamang languages (1991 census)
Another estimate is 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 all Tamang speakers (1994 Tamang Society representative). 23,645 second language speakers of all Tamang (1991 census). Tamang is the largest Tibeto-Burman language in Nepal. Population total all countries 584,000 to 718,000 or more.
Dialects: OUTER-EASTERN TAMANG, CENTRAL-EASTERN TAMANG, SOUTHWESTERN TAMANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.

TAMANG, EASTERN GORKHA
3,000 to 4,000
North Gorkha District, Gandaki Zone, south and east of Jagat.
Dialects: KASIGAON, KEROUNJA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.

TAMANG, NORTHWESTERN
55,000 or more, 0.30% of population (1991 census)
Bagmati Zone, Nuwakot District, central mountainous strip. Migrations to the Terai.
Dialects: DHADING. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.

TAMANG, SOUTHWESTERN
109,051 or 0.59% of the population (1991 census).
Western Makwanpur and Chitwan districts, and south and southwest of those districts. It may extend to the western and northwestern parts of Kathmandu District. Migrations to Terai. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.

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TAMANG, WESTERN
186,408 to 320,350, 1% to 1.73% of population (1991 census)
Bagmati Zone, western Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dhading, and parts of Gorkha districts, and other districts to the west and possibly southwest, central mountainous strip. Migrations to the Terai
Alternate names: MURMI
Dialects: TRISULI (NUWAKOT), RASUWA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.

THAKAL
7,113 or 0.04% of the population (1991 census)
Dhaulagiri Zone, Mustang District, Thak Khola, the mid Kali Gandaki Valley, with Annapurna Himal on one side and Dhaulagiri Himal on the other, from Tatopani village in the south to Jomosom in the north. Many live outside the area. Tukche is the cultural center. Tukche dialect is in all Southern Thak Khola and Jomosom, Syang in Syang, Thini, and Chimang.
Alternate names: TAPAANG, THAKSYA

Dialects: TUKCHE (THAKALI), MARPHA, SYANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic.

THAMI
14,400 (1991 census)
Population total both countries 14,400.
Alternate names: THANGMI

Dialects: EASTERN THAMI, WESTERN THAMI. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Eastern.

THARU, CHITWANIA
80,000 or more ( 1991 census)
993,388 all Tharu, 5.32% of the population (1991 census)
Population total both countries 80,000 or more.
Alternate names: CHITUAN THARU, CHITAWAN THARU. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, .

THARU, DANGAURA
300,000 or more in Nepal (1991 census)
993,388 all Tharu, 5.37% of the population (1991 census)
Population total both countries 343,000
Alternate names: DANG THARU. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone

THARU, DEOKHURI
80,000 (1981 census)
Rapti Zone, Dang District
Alternate names: DEOKHAR, DEOKRI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, .

THARU, KATHORIYA
60,000
Population total both countries 60,000 or more. Alternate names: KATHARIYA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone .

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THARU, KOCHILA
250,000 or more (1991 census)
Population total both countries 250,000 or more.
Alternate names: SAPTARI.

Dialects: MORANGIA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, .

THARU, MAHOTARI
32,000 (1981 census)
Janakpur Zone, Mahottari District
Alternate names: MAHOTTARI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, .

THARU, RANA
200,000 in Nepal (1991 census)
Population total both countries 264,000. Alternate names: RANA THAKUR. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, .

THUDAM BHOTE
Mechi Zone, Taplejung District, northern. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, .

THULUNG
25,000 in Nepal
Population total both countries 28,300.
Alternate names: THULUNGE RAI, DEUSALI, DEOSALI, THULU LUWA, THULULOA, THULUNG LA, THOLONG LO, THULUNG JEMU, TOAKU LWA
Dialects: LANNACHYO. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Western.

TIBETAN
60,000 in Nepal
Alternate names: BHOTIA, ZANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.

TICHURONG
1,500
Dolpa District, Karnali Zone, in the basin of the Bheri River
Alternate names: TICHERONG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.

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TILUNG
1,000 or fewer
Halesidanda Range in the outer west of Khotang District, between Dudhkosi and Sunkosi
Alternate names: TILING, TILLING, TILUNG BLAMA
Dialects: CHOSKULE, DORUNKECHA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Western.

TSEKU
Mechi zone far east
Alternate names: TSUKU, TZUKU. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.

TSUM
2,200 to 3,500
Gandaki Zone, northern Gorkha District, Tsum area, the region drained by the Shiar Khola north of Ganesh Himal. Chekampar (Chokong) is the prestige village.
Alternate names: TSUMGE. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.

WALING
Khairang Panchayat, Bhojpur District
Alternate names: WALUNG, WALÚNG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

WALUNGGE
10,000 to 15,000, including 3,500 in the original area
Population total both countries 10,000 to 15,000
Alternate names: OLANGCHUNG GOLA, WALUNGCHUNG GOLA, WALUNG, WALUNGGI KECCYA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central.

WAYU
1,500
Janakpur Zone, Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts, on the hills on both sides of the Sun Kosi River
Alternate names: HAYU, VAYU, WAYO. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Chepang.

YAKHA
8,000 to 10,000 in Nepal
Population total both countries 8,000 to 10,000 or more.
Alternate names: YAKKHA, YAKKHABA, YAKKHABA CEA, YAKKHABA SALA, DEWANSALA.

Dialects: NORTHERN YAKHA, SOUTHERN YAKHA, EASTERN YAKHA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

YAMPHE
3,000 to 5,000
Makalu Panchayat, both sides of the upper Arun River, northern Sankhuwasawa. To the south, the Jaljale Himal east of the Arun and the Apsuwakhola west of the Arun; to the north as far as the Leksuwakhola and Barun rivers.
Alternate names: YAMPHU, NEWAHANG YAMPHE, YAMPHE KHA
Dialects: SIBAO-YAMPHE, PA-O. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

YAMPHU
5,000
Eastern hills, upper Arun Valley, Matsayapokhari Panchayat, Sankhuwasawa District, extreme north of the Northern Lorung area, directly southwest of the Jaljale Mountains, Koshi, Mechi zones
Alternate names: YAMPHU RAI, YAMPHU KHA, YANPHU, YAMPHE. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

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Nepal's Ethnic Groups - Diagram
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