Kheng people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 50,000+[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Central Bhutan (Zhemgang, Trongsa, Mongar, Bumthang District), Dagana District | |
| Languages | |
| Kheng or Bumthangkha, Dzongkha | |
| Religion | |
| Buddhism, Bon | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Ngalop, Sharchops |
The Kheng people are found primarily in the Zhemgang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Dagana, and Mongar Districts of central Bhutan. They speak the Kheng language, a member of the extended Sino-Tibetan (also referred to as Trans-Himalayan) language family belonging to the East Bodish languages (non-Tibetic language) group;[2] it is mutually intelligible with the Bumthang language and Kurtöp language to the north.[3] The Kheng people are ethnolinguistically same as the Bumthang people and Kurtöp people of central Bhutan. The Kheng people are indigenous populations of south central Bhutan. Linguist and ethnographer Dr. Tim Bodt notes that the people of Kheng, Bumthang, Kurtöe and Trongsa Mangdue have a deep, indigenous history in Bhutan. Archaeological evidence and linguistic timelines suggest that the people of Kheng, Bumthang, Kurtöe and Trongsa Mangdue have inhabited the central valleys and rugged landscapes of the country for more than 4000 years. SIL International estimates there are 50,000 Kheng speakers as of 2009.
The Kheng people are devout followers of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly of the Nyingma tradition. Before the arrival of buddhism, the Kheng people practiced the ancient Bon religion—a tradition rooted in shamanism and animism. Even today, a few Kheng elders preserve these ancient practices.
Kheng people are known for secular and religious noble families such as numerous Dung families who had small fiefdoms until the 17th century.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Lewis, M. Paul, ed. (2009). "Khengkha". Ethnologue online (16 ed.). Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
- ↑ Hyslop, Gwendolyn. 2010. On the internal phylogeny of East Bodish. Paper presented at the 5th NEILS meeting, Gauhati University 12–14 February 2010.
- ↑ van Driem, George (1994). Language policy in Bhutan. In Michael Aris and Michael Hutt (ed) Bhutan: Aspects of Culture and Development (PDF). Gartmore: Kiscadale Publications. pp. 87–106. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ↑ Ardussi, John (2004). "he Gdung Lineages OF Central & Eastern Bhutan–A Reappraisal OF THEIR Origin, Based ON Literary Sources. In Ura, Karma & Sonam Kinga (eds) The Spider and the Piglet" (PDF). The Centre for Bhutan Studies: 60–72. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
External links
[edit]- Dema, Tashi (2008-02-14). "Kheng faces acute shortage of Dzongkha teachers". Kuensel online. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
