Maria, Dandami
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A language of India
Alternate Names
Bastar Koya, Bison Horn Maria, Dandami Madiya, Dhuru, Madiya, Maria Gond
User Population
200,000 (2000). All Gondi speakers: 2,910,000 (2011 census).
Location
Andhra Pradesh state: Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, and Daksin Bastar Dantewada districts; Maharashtra state: Garhichiroli district; Telangana state: Khamman district.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Dialects
None known. Those in Geedam and Bailadila have 95%–98% mutual intelligibility, 81% of the Sukma variety, but 18%–21% of Maria [mrr], 18%–45% of Muria in Sukma understood the Geedam variety at 81% or lower; those in Bailadila understood Sukma at 92%. May be more than one language. Distinct from Northern Gondi [gno], Adilabad Gondi [wsg], Aheri Gondi [esg], Maria of Garhchiroli, and Koya [kff].
Language Use
Used by all. Also use English [eng].
Language Development
Literacy program in progress. Grammar. NT: 2010.
A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu, traditional religion.