Kumbaran

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
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Population

10,000 (2004 NLCI).

Location

Kerala, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts; Palakkad, Trissur, Ernakkulam, and Kannur; all states in peninsular India.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Dravidian, Southern
Dialects

Reportedly cannot understand Telugu [tel] on Wayanad District radio. Lexical similarity: 48% with Telugu [tel].

Language Use

Fairly vigorous in Wayanad District although Malayalam [mal] is used some in home and village. Positive attitudes in Wayanad District.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: below 50% in older adult age group in Kerala.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kumbaran
Other Comments

Kumbaran are a subcaste of Chettiars (or Adi Andhra) whose caste occupation is pottery or any work with mud or clay. Ethnonym: Adi Andhra (a Scheduled Caste). Ethnic autonym: Kusavan. Kusavan caste also speaks Kumbaran. Hindu, traditional religion.