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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > Nepal > Tharu, Kochila

Tharu, Kochila

A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3: thq

Population  258,000 in Nepal (2003).
Region  Koshi zone, Morang and Sunsari districts; Sagarmatha zone, Saptari, Udayapur, and Siraha districts; Janakpur zone, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Dhanusa districts. Also in India.
Language maps  Eastern Nepal, reference number 50
Western Nepal, reference number 50
Dialects  Saptari, Morangiya, Udayapur, Sunsari, Siraha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Dhanusa. Each District has a different variety.
Classification  Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Unclassified
Language use  Vigorous. Home, village. Also use Nepali [nep] or Maithili [mai].
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: (all Tharu as an ethnic group) 28% (1991 census).
Comments  Tharu recognized as an official nationality. The Tharu from each District usually take the District name as a more specific name or identity. Other Tharu in Siraha, Udayapur, and Saparti districts who call themselves Kochila but do not speak Kochila can be distinguished by dress, customs, and language. They have adopted Maithili culture. Traditional religion, syncretism with Hindu, Hindu.

Also spoken in:

India

Language name   Tharu, Kochila
Alternate names  Saptari
Dialects  Morangia.
Comments  Traditional religion with Hindu overlay.
 

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

BOEHM, Kelly Kilgo, author. 1997. Language use and language maintenance among the Tharu of the Indo-Nepal tarai.