Kumbaran

A language of India

ISO 639: wkb
Alternate Names: Adi Andhra, Kusavan
Population: 10,000 (2004 NLCI).
Location:: Kerala state: Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts, Ernakkulam, Kannur, Palakkad, and Trissur; all states in peninsular India.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Dravidian, Southern
Dialects: None known. Reportedly cannot understand Telugu [tel] on Wayanad District radio. Lexical similarity: 48% with Telugu [tel].
Language Use: Fairly vigorous in Wayanad District although Malayalam [mal] is used some in home and village. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes, especially in Wayanad District. Also use English [eng].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: Below 50% for older adults in Kerala.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kumbaran
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: Kumbaran are a subcaste of Chettiars (or Adi Andhra) whose caste occupation is pottery or any work with mud or clay. Adi Andhra is a Scheduled Caste. Kusavan caste also speaks Kumbaran. Hindu, traditional religion.

Location: Kerala state: Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts, Ernakkulam, Kannur, Palakkad, and Trissur; all states in peninsular India.