The Kharam people, also known as the Kharam Naga's, are inhabiting the Northeast Indian state of Manipur. They are recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (STs) by India.[3][4] They use Meitei language as their second language (L2) according to the Ethnologue.[5]

Kharam Naga
Kharam Tribe from Manipur
Total population
1,145[1]
Languages
Kharam (L1)
Meitei language (L2)[2]
Religion
Christianity, Animism
Related ethnic groups
Meitei people, Inpui, Purum

History

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The speakers of Kharam are mainly found in Kangpokpi district of Manipur and their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of the language. The Kharam dialect is mainly spoken in Tuisenphai, Laikot Kharam, Laikot Phaijol, Tampak Kharam, New Keithel Manbi and Kharam Khullen villages in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur.

Kharam has close affinities with other languages such as Kom, Koren, Purum, Aimol etc. The Kharams today are inhabited in the seven villages of Manipur of which the Kharam Pallen village is the oldest and largest village of Kharam people. Kangpokpi District.[6][7]

Etymology

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The word Kharam is believed to have derived from the words khwa ram which is translated as "That land". According to another definition, the word Kharam is a compound word of kha (south) and ram (land or place) which literally means ‘Southland’.

References

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  1. ^ "Census of India, 2011".
  2. ^ "Meitei | Ethnologue". Ethnologue. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  3. ^ "1THE CONSTITUTION (SCHEDULED TRIBES)". Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Meitei | Ethnologue". Ethnologue. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  6. ^ Haokip, P. (2011). Socio-linguistic Situation in North-east India. Concept Publishing Company. p. 53. ISBN 9788180697609. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  7. ^ Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999

Further reading

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  • The Ethno-history of the Kharam Tribe of Manipur. Gina Shangkham, Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University, 1 January 2006 - Tribes - 381 pages