Safeguarding the Kusunda (The Ban Rajas) Language and Culture for future generation
Aims to preserve the critically endangered Kusunda language through school courses, online learning, and bilingual children’s books to increase usage and awareness among youth.
| The Kusunda Language is a distinct and critically endangered language spoken fluently by just a small number of remaining individuals in Bagmati Province, Nepal. The language represents a link to the past for the remaining Kusunda people and has unusual characteristics, including the absence of words for ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The language is therefore irreplaceable if it is lost. The language is at risk of dying out as more Kusunda people move away from the area and lose connection to this important piece of their heritage due to the impact of climate change on their livelihoods and way of life. Through courses for students at local secondary schools and the development of an online learning programme, Archive Nepal and partners hope to increase the speakership of this language and will promote the language further through the production of dual language Nepali and Kusunda books for children. |
Project Details
Location: Nepal, Southern Asia, Asia
Organiser(s):
Archive Nepal
Project partner(s): Uday Raj Aaley, Kathalaya Inc.
Funder(s):
British Council Cultural Protection Fund in partnership with DCMS
Funding received: £46,443.42
Commencement Date: 04/2024
Project Status: Completed
Project owner? Update this project
