Dungmali, or Dungmali-Bantawa, is a
Kirati languages language spoken in
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is ma ...
. It is largely cognate with
Bantawa language
The Bantawa Language (also referred to as An Yüng, Bantaba, Bantawa Dum, Bantawa Yong, Bantawa Yüng, Bontawa, Kirawa Yüng), is a Kirati languages spoken in the eastern Himalayan hills of eastern Nepal by Kirati Bantawa ethnic groups. They us ...
, but differs
grammatically and
phonologically.
Locations
Dungmali is spoken in eastern
Bhojpur District,
Kosi Zone
Kosi or Koshi ( ne, कोसी अञ्चल, ne, कोशी अञ्चल ) was one of the fourteen zones of Nepal until the restructure of zones to provinces. The headquarters of Kosi Zone was Biratnagar which was also its largest ci ...
, in
Thulo Dumba,
Sano Dumba, and
Bastim Similarly, Tiwari Bhanjyan, Chyangre, Yaku etc. which is also called Pouwakhesang Thum.
VDC's (''
Ethnologue''). The Dungmali area extends all the way east to the
Arun River.
In present days Dungmali’s people are living in different countries India, Bhutan, United States of America (USA).
According to kirat Rai Dungmalis Bhasa Sanskriti Samrachhan Mancha, Dungmalis were generated from Hangwang, Pungwat, Pawen, Chokhang and Salukathewa Pachhas ‘
Clans)��. There is an interesting anecdote about the naming Dungmali. There was no water at all at the beginning there is a myth about it,that is once Lugun “Dholebijiwa” (powerful exorcist) of Katunje shut the bow at Tindhara from Marangtang performing
Mundhum)to drink water his thirst while he was coming from Dhankuta. There is estimated 10,000 population of this community and they have honor to their distinct culture, Dhukursingh.
References
Kiranti languages
Languages of Nepal
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