Kurumba, Attapady

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
pkr
Alternate Names
Kurumba, Pal Kurumba
User Population

1,370 (1991 census).

Location

Kerala state: Palakkad district, Attapady sub-district.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Dravidian, Southern
Dialects

None known. Separate from Alu Kurumba [xua] and Kurumba Kannada [kfi]. Despite dissimilarity between Kurumba, Muduga [udg], and Irula [iru], each group uses their mother tongue to communicate with each other. Lexical similarity: 82% with Muduga [udg]; 61%–70% with Irula [iru], 50% with Alu Kurumba [xua], 52% with Kurumba Kannada, 55% with Malayalam [mal], 58% with Tamil [tam].

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, village, religion. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Muduga [udg]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Irula [iru]. Also use Malayalam [mal]. Also use Tamil [tam].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 32% in Attapady; or 23% (27% men, 15% women), including other Kurumba in Wayanad District (1991 census). NT: 2018.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kurumba, Attapady
Writing

Malayalam script [Mlym].

Other Comments

The least developed language group in Attapady. Thudukki variety is reportedly most pure. Hindu, traditional religion.