Alternate Names: Bihar Ho, Lanka Kol
Dialects: Chaibasa-Thakurmunda, Lohara. Most understand Chaibasa and Thakurmunda dialects well; 90%–92% comprehend narrative discourse. Kherwari (Khanwar, Kharar, Kharoali, Kharwari) is group name for Ho, Mundari ,, Munda ,, and Santhali ,, closely related languages, and other smaller languages or dialects. Lexical similarity: 85% between most dialects, except for 3 on Ho area east and south edges.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 1,040,000 (2001 census).
Language Use: Vigorous. Positive attitudes. Also use Hindi [hin], Oriya [ory], Santhali [sat]. Used as L2 by Birhor [biy].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Literacy program in progress. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1997.
Writing System: Devanagari, Oriya
Nation of Origin: India
Other Comments: A Scheduled Tribe. Different from Ho (Hani ,) of Myanmar, China, Viet Nam, Laos. Traditional religion, Hindu.