Maria, Dandami

DAQ

vigorous

Alternate Names: Bastar Koya, Bison Horn Maria, Dandami Madiya, Dhuru, Madiya, Maria Gond

Dialects: None known. Those in Geedam and Bailadila have 95%–98% mutual intelligibility, 81% of the Sukma variety, but 18%–21% of Maria ,, 18%–45% of Muria in Sukma understood the Geedam variety at 81% or lower; those in Bailadila understood Sukma at 92%. May be more than one language. Distinct from Northern Gondi ,, Southern Gondi ,, Maria of Garhchiroli, and Koya ,.

Genealogy:

Dravidian
South-Central
Gondi-Kui
Gondi

Demographics: 200,000 (2000).

Language Use: All ages.

Language Development: Literacy program in progress. Grammar. Bible portions.

Writing System: Devanagari

Nation of Origin: India

Other Comments: A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu, traditional religion.