Gojri one of the richest languages in terms of modern and traditional literature – Jammu and Kashmir

A Van Gujjar woman preparing ‘chapatis’ at a rest stop during the tribe’s semi-annual trek
in the Himalayas © Photo Susan MacMillan | Article by Manshi Asher: Down to Earth >>
Gujjar community and India’s Himalayan regions >>
Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes | SEED – Government scheme
Ecology and environment | Economy and development >>
Ethnobotany & ethnomedicine >>

Gojri belongs to the central group of the Indo-Aryan language family and is closely related to Mewati, a language spoken in north eastern Rajasthan. Gojri is spoken in northern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, and the former state of Jammu and Kashmir (Azad Kashmir and Indian Administered Kashmir). Most of the Gujars who settled in the plains have abandoned Gojri while those who continue speaking Gojri include nomadic pastoralists who herd sheep and goats or dairy buffalo, settled agriculturalists, and semi-settled agriculturalists who practice seasonal transhumance.
Literacy rate among the nomadic pastoralists is very low. A project entitled ‘Bakarwal Mobile School System’ is running 40 mobile schools for the nomad children in the different regions of northern Pakistan. In this school system, basic education is provided in Gojri and then students are helped to transition later to Urdu and English.

Source: Forum for Language Initiatives
URL: https://fli-online.org/site/gojri/
Date Visited: 3 June 2022

*A Nomad Called Thief: Reflections on Adivasi Silence and Voice* by GN Devy

Jammu and Kashmir government will soon recommend Gojri language for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution, a state minister has said. […]
He said Gojri is an important tribal language which is spoken in different parts of the world.
“However, Jammu and Kashmir state is considered as its epicentre,” he said.
Mr. Altaf said the State government headed by Omar Abdullah is committed to promote all regional languages including Gojri.
He said Gojri is one of the richest languages of the state in terms of modern and traditional literature.
The minister impressed upon the Academy to preserve the dying heritage of Gujjar and Bakerwal community and give a boost to the writers, artists and poets living in difficult conditions so that they may publish their work and explore their skills in a better way.

Source: “J&K seeks official language status for Gojri”, The Hindu, Srinagar, 5 June 2012
Address : https://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article3492887.ece
Date Visited: Tue Jun 05 2012 14:51:20 GMT+0200 (CEST)

“We have to write our own stories, about our issues, from our own perspectives.” – Abhay Xaxa, a “Fiercely Unapologetic Adivasi Scholar-Activist” | Read more >>

Up-to-date reports by Indian journalists and commentators

To search Indian periodicals, magazines, web portals and other sources safely, click here. To find an Indian PhD thesis on a particular tribal community, region and related issues, click here >>

Related