Most Khas speakers in Karnali

By Netra Shahi,Jumla, Jan. 6: According to Nepal’s Population Census 2078 (2021/22), the identification of people who speak the Khas language has begun. 

Although previous censuses did not pay much attention to this, the 2078 census has included people speaking the Khas language in its records.

The Statistics Coordination Office in Jumla said that, according to the 2078 census, the number of Nepalis speaking the Khas language is 117,511. 

Among them, the highest number of Khas speakers is in Karnali Province.

 According to the office, in Karnali, out of 107,084 Khas speakers, 53,826 are women and 53,258 are men.

Office Chief Dipendra Singh Dhami said that the 2078 census has recorded a total of 124 mother tongues, and among them, Jumla has the highest number of Khas speakers.

 Jumla is also considered the birthplace of the Nepali language. 

According to the Statistics Coordination Office, out of the total Khas speakers in Jumla, 60,542 people, 51.2 per cent speak Khas as their mother tongue. 

In Kalikot, 26.2 per cent people speak Khas.  Other districts in Karnali show fewer Khas speakers in the census. In Mugu, 6.7 per cent and in Humla, 5.7 per cent of the population speak the Khas language. 

In previous censuses, there was hardly any record of the Khas language. In the 2068 census, only 34 people in Karnali were recorded as speaking Khas, which drew sharp criticism. 

However, in 2078, the number of people recorded as speaking Khas as their mother tongue has increased significantly.

Prakash Chandra Khatri, Head of Jumla Multiple Campus, expressed happiness that the number of Khas speakers recorded in the census has increased this year, even though earlier censuses did not include them.

 He added that most people in Karnali speak Khas, but in previous censuses, it was often missed as a mother tongue. 

He emphasised that this will contribute to the preservation of the Khas language. 

After voices were raised about the omission of Khas in previous censuses, it was included in the 2078 census questionnaire. 

He further added that in the next census, Karnali Province should focus more on protecting its mother tongues.

According to the 2017 census, Jumla's population stands at 118,349, Kalikot’s at 145,292, Humla’s at 53,594, Mugu’s at 64,549, and Dolpa’s at 42,774.

Although the majority of people in Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Mugu, and Dolpa speak Khas as their mother tongue, some people are still missing in census data. 

Similarly, in Sudurpashchim Province, Khas is spoken but was often left unrecorded, according to the Chief of the Statistics Coordination Office.

The office has been sharing historical and current data through various district-level interactions, including information about the Khas language.

Chief District Officer Dipak Paudel emphasised that statistical data is a crucial basis for national development and that Khas language data highlights the importance of its preservation and promotion.