The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.
SIL code: MJT
ISO 639-2: dra
| Population | 74,000 to 86,000 (1994). |
| Region | Central eastern Bihar, northern part of former Santhal Pargana District, Rajmahal hills proper, mainly in Sahibganj and Godda districts, Litipara Block of Pakaur District; West Bengal, Bankura, Barddhaman, and Murshidabad districts. |
| Alternate names | MALTO, MALTI, MALTU, MALER, SAWRIYA MALTO |
| Dialects | SAHIBGANJ, GODDA, HIRANPUR, LITIPARA (CHATGAM). |
| Classification | Dravidian, Northern. |
| Comments | Inherent intelligibility with Kumarbhag Paharis is inadequate. Related to Kurux. 80% lexical similarity with Kumarbhag Paharia. Part of the Malto ethnic group. A Scheduled Tribe in India. Literacy rate in second language: 6.9%. Forest. Hills, plains. Swidden agriculturalists: rice, maize, wheat, sugarcane, lentils, vegetables; animal husbandry: dairy cattle, goats, pigs, chickens; fishermen; hunters; firewood gatherers. 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Traditional religion, Christian. NT 1998. |
