Alternate Names: Arthare, Arthare-Khesang, Dungmali Pûk, Dungmali-Bantawa, Khesange
Dialects: Khesang (Khesange). 82% cognate with Bantawa , but morphology and phonology differ (Winter 1991). Lexical similarity: 80% with Bantawa ,, 65% with Puma ,.
Status Notes: Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Rai.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 6,260 (2011 census), decreasing. 150 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 10,000.
Language Use: Home, religion. Mixed use: Friends, work. Young adults and older. Some use among children and adolescents. Also use Bantawa [bap].
Language Development: Poetry. Newspapers. Dictionary.
Typology: SOV; postpositions; noun head final; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person and gender; split ergativity; tense; no passives or voice; tonal; 18 consonant and 6 vowel phonemes.
Nation of Origin: Nepal
Other Comments: Local names which may not be dialects: Chhinamkhang, Chhichhangchha, Hangbang, Khandung, Pungwai, Roktulung, Tuncha, Waitpang. Traditional religion.