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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > Nepal > Majhi

Majhi

A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3: mjz

Population  21,800 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. Population total all countries: 42,200. Ethnic population: 72,614.
Region  Janakpur zone, Sindhuli and Ramechhap districts; Bagmati zone, Sindhupalchok and Kabhre Palanchok districts; Sagarmatha zone, Okhaldhunga and Khotang districts; Koshi zone, Dhankuta District; Narayani zone; Lumbini zone; along Tama Kosi and Sun Kosi River valley. Also in India.
Language map  Eastern Nepal, reference number 64
Alternate names   Manjhi
Dialects  Mantali, Sitkha, Rajgaun.
Classification  Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari
Language use  Used in religion. Also use Nepali [nep].
Language development  Literacy rate in L2: 22% (1991 census).
Writing system  Devanagari script, used in India.
Comments  Distinct from Majhi in Panjabi group or Bote-Majhi. Majhi, Bote, and Kushar all are used by hill peoples. An official nationality. Boatmen. Traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

India

Language name   Majhi
Population  20,400 in India (2000). Ethnic population: 121,000.
Region  Jharkhand, Gumla District; Sikkim, South District, Majhigaon near Jorethang; East District, Majhitar near Rangpo; West Bengal; Assam.
Alternate names  Manjhi
Language use  Rarely used at home; younger generation uses Nepali [nep] in Sikkim. Home. Some also use Nepali [nep] or Sadri [sck].
Language development  Literacy rate in L2: Below 7%. Girls not sent to school.
Comments  Distinct from Majhi dialect of Eastern Panjabi [pan] or Bote-Majhi [bmj] of Nepal. Commerce; contract workers (Sikkim); agriculturalists (plains). Hindu.