Thadou language
| Thadou | |
|---|---|
| Native to | India, Burma |
| Ethnicity | Thadou people |
|
Native speakers
|
(270,000 cited 1983 and 2001 censuses) |
|
Sino-Tibetan
|
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | |
| Glottolog | thad1238 |
Thadou (Thado, Thaadou, Thado-Ubiphei, Thado-Pao) is a common Kukish language spoken widely in the northeastern part of India (specifically in Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram) and Burma, as well as the Bangladesh borders. It is spoken by people (known as The Thadou tribe) in Myanmar, mostly in the Chin State and Sagiang Division. The Thadou language is known by many names, including Thado, Thado-Ubiphei, Thado-Pao, Kuki, Kuki-Thado, Thaadou Kuki, Chin, and Thādo-pao. There are a few dialects of this language: Changsen, Jangshen, Kaokeep, Khongzai, Kipgen, Saimar, Langiung, Sairang, Thangngen, Haokip, Shithlou, Singson (Shingsol). These dialects are taught in Manipur schools, however, those outside the school, such as elders, are less familiar with them. The Saimar dialect was reported in the Indian press in 2012 to be spoken by only four people in one village in the state of Tripura. The variety spoken in Manipur has partial mutual intelligibility with the other Kukish varieties of the area including Paite, Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom and Gangte languages. Although this language is spoken in various areas, it is not utilized as much today. As of a 2001 census, the estimated total number of Thadou speakers is 269,200. Thadou is rapidly becoming endangered.
The Thadou language comes from the Tibeto-Burman Family of the Sino-Tibetan Phylum. The Thadou people believe that they are meant to be rulers of the Earth. Because of this way of thinking, the Kuki rebellion took place. The Thadou people were settled in dense jungle sites. The Thadou villages mostly cultivated agriculture and domesticated animals. A unique aspect of the Thadou culture is that men and women shared these cultivation and domestication responsibilities.
Knowing a language connects one to the culture and traditions of the speakers of the language. This was especially the case with the Thadou language. Four important words in this language: chongmu, sahapsat, jol-lha', and kijam mang. These terms represent four different forms of marriage. Chongmu represents the form of marriage where there is a negotiation price of the bride between the parents of the groom as well as the parents of the bride, along with feasting and wrestling. The sahapsat is a form of marriage where just the negotiation between the parents of the bride and groom take place. The jol-Iha' and kijam mang both are similar forms of marriage, equivalent to eloping. Divorce is allowed and happens often within this culture. Children have a lot of independence in this culture and are encouraged to learn through experience due to the loose parental guidance they receive.
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