Powari

A language of India

ISO 639: pwr
Alternate Names: Pwari
Population: 326,000 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,000,000 (1986 All India Powar Council).
Location:: Madhya Pradesh state: Balaghat, Betul, Chindwara, and Seoni districts; Maharashtra state: Bhandara, Gondia, and Wardha districts.
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western
Dialects: Bhoyar Powari (Bhomiyari, Bhoyari, Bhoyaroo, Bhuiyar, Bhuria, Bohoyeri), Vyneganga Powari, Govari of Seoni, Khalari, Koshti, Kumbhari, Marari. Reported intelligibility between Bhoyar and Vyneganga. Balaghat District dialect considered central among Bhoyar and Vyneganga varieties. Lexical similarity: 60%–87% among dialects; 80%–83% with Koshti, Kumbhari, and Khalari sub-groups; 49%–65% with Bagheli [bfy], 46%–64% with Bundeli [bns].
Language Use: Powari use is decreasing in the Bhoyar and Vyneganga dialect areas. Half the children learn Hindi [hin] or Marathi [mar] first. Home. Neutral attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Hindi [hin]. Also use Marathi [mar].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 72% for Powari-speaking districts (2001 census).
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Powari
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: Younger generation is getting education. Hindu.

Location: Madhya Pradesh state: Balaghat, Betul, Chindwara, and Seoni districts; Maharashtra state: Bhandara, Gondia, and Wardha districts.