Alternate Names: Hill Maria, Madi, Madia, Madiya, Modh, Modi
Dialects: Abujmaria (Abujhmadia, Abujhmaria, Abujmar Maria, Abujmariya, Hill Maria), Adewada, Bhamani Maria (Bhamani), Etapally Maria. Etapally Maria dialect is apparently understood by all. Distinct from Muria, Dandami Maria ,, Northern Gondi ,, Southern Gondi ,, and Koya ,. 76%–77% intelligibility of other Gondi varieties. Muria Gondi , is intelligible of Abujmaria around Narainpur area but not elsewhere. Distinct from Maria dialect of Chanda District in Maharashtra (Natarajan 1985). Intelligibility 90%–100% of Bhamragarh dialect by other Maria speakers. Maria is intelligible to the Gatte Maria, an ethnic group. Lexical similarity: 59%–80% among dialects (1991 survey), 65%–98% (1999 survey).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 165,000 (2000). 141,000 Maria and 23,700 Hill Maria.
Language Use: All domains. Most men also use a Muria variety or Halbi [hlb]. Also use Hindi [hin].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Men 5%, women below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. High interest in literacy. Dictionary. Grammar.
Writing System: Devanagari
Nation of Origin: India
Other Comments: A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu, Christian, traditional religion.