Page Type: languageRaji | Ethnologue

RJI ISO 639-3

Raji

A language of Nepal

ISO 639
rji
Alternate Names
Ban Raji, Janggali, Phaan Bhaasaa, Phaan Boli, Rajibar, Rawati, Rjya
Population
3,814, all users. L1 users: 3,760 (2011 census), decreasing. L2 users: 54 (2011 census).
Location:
Karnali province: Surkhet district, Barahtal, Chaukune, and Panchipuri municipalities; Sudur Pashchimanchal province: Kailali district, Mohanyal municipality.
Language Status
6b (Threatened). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Rajhi.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Central Himalayan, Raute-Raji
Dialects
Barh Bandale, Naukule, Purbiya. Reportedly similar to Rawat [jnl]. Speakers of Barh Bandale and Purbiya have difficulty in understanding the Naukule variety. Lexical similarity: From 84% and 86% between the three varieties; 55% with Raute [rau].
Language Use
In one village in Kailali District, Khailad VDC, speakers under 6 years of age and over 60 years old are monolingual. Religion; mixed use: Home, friends, work. Some young people, all adults. Negative attitudes. Also use Hindi [hin]. Also use Nepali [npi].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 22% (1991 census). Literacy in Nepali [npi] is increasing since parents have started sending their children to school. Literature. Dictionary. Texts. Agency: Raji Shalma Samaj.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Raji
Writing
Devanagari script [Deva].
Other Comments
The Raji were a nomadic group, but now settled. Sharma (1990) identifies Raji in India (perhaps Bodo Gadaba [gbj]) as a Munda language with borrowings from Tibeto-Burman and Indo-Aryan. Barh Bandale dialect is the most prestigious. May be the same as Rawat [jnl] in India. Traditional religion, Buddhist.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Karnali province: Surkhet district, Barahtal, Chaukune, and Panchipuri municipalities; Sudur Pashchimanchal province: Kailali district, Mohanyal municipality.