Kurichiya

Print

Primary tabs

A language of India

ISO 639-3
kfh
Alternate Names
Kowohans, Kurichchan, Kurichchia, Kurichia, Kurichiyars, Kuruchans
User Population

29,400 (2004 survey). Ethnic population: 32,800 (2001 census).

Location

Kerala state: Kannur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts, Mananthavady and Vythiri sub-districts in Wayanad.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Dravidian, Southern
Dialects

Kunnam, Wayanad. Lexical similarity: 60%–66% between dialects; Wayanad dialect 67%–71% with Malayalam [mal].

Language Use

Shifting to Malayalam [mal], more in Kunnam than in Wayanad dialect. All also use Malayalam [mal], but less than half with good proficiency. Also use English [eng].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 68% (2001 census).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kurichiya
Writing

Malayalam script [Mlym].

Other Comments

A Scheduled Tribe. Consider themselves higher caste than Brahmin. An endangered language (Central Institute of Indian Languages). Further study is being done at Annamalai University. Hindu, Christian, traditional religion.