The Bhujel (ISO-639 code: byh) Collection has the original recordings (both in archival and presentation versions) in different modalities and their annotation available. An Android application of the Bhujel Lexicon derived from our efforts can be accessed from the Language Technology Tools collection.

Taking into consideration the linguistic situation of Bhujel in Sikkim, the Centre has documented the Bhujel Lexicon of words used in different domains. The Centre has also documented Bhujel cultural practices, and their traditional art forms. The Centre conducted field consultations with Bhujel community on the dates below:

The Bhujels are settled in India in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Doars, Assam, Manipur and also in Dehradun. In Sikkim, their population is concentrated in Salangdang, Daramdin, Lungchok, Karthok, Dodok in West Sikkim; Belbotey (Kitam), Turuk, Bermiok-Tokal in South Sikkim and Jitlang, Pakyong, Rhenock, Chujachen, Rigu and Gangtok in the East Sikkim. According to Gazetteer of Sikkim, Govt. of Sikkim 2013 from the source of State Socio-Economic Census 2006, the total population of Bhujels is 3563. The 2011 Community Survey of Sikkim, places the Bhujel population as 6061. In Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the Bhujel population is around 40000 (Bhujel Community Survey Reports 2011).

Bhujel (ISO 639-3) language is known as puːgal ŋur where puː is ‘head’, gal ‘king’ and ŋur is ‘language’ i.e. ‘language of the Bhujel King.’ Ethnologue has coded Bhujel under ISO 639-3: byh, and the alternate names Bujhyal, Bhjal, Bujhel, Bujheli, Gharti, Pugal and western Chepang. Ethnologue classifies Bhujel as 8a (Moribund) language. This classification reflects the language endangerment of Bhujel in Sikkim and Darjeeling. Although there are no official records on the extent of use of Bhujel language in Sikkim and Darjeeling, a few lexical items belonging to kinship, edible items, rituals, etc. are in use by the community members in Sikkim (as reported in The Languages of Sikkim (2017)). Keeping in mind the prevailing linguistic situation, the Bhujel community in Sikkim aspires to revive the Bhujel language citing various social, cultural and political reasons.

Bhujel has not been recognised by the Government of Sikkim till now; however, Sikkim Akademi, an autonomous organization under the aegis of Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Government of Sikkim, has recognised Bhujel in 2012. Bhujel is an unwritten language, and is not used in school and media. Currently, Bhujel community members are developing a new script called Kharpa to aid in their revitalisation activities.

Different Scholars categorize Bhujel under the Central Himalayish subgroup of the Bodish-Himalayish group of the Tibeto-Burman language family. Grierson (1901) does not provide any information about the language, and other surveys merely mention the presence of the community.

Primary Creator: Meiraba Takhellambam Contact: meiraba.cel@gmail.com