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Chiru Documentation
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The Language
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The Chiru language belongs to the Kuki-Chin sub-groups of Tibeto-Burman language
family and has close affinities with other Kuki-Chin languages like Kom, Aimol,
Koireng, Chorei, Ranglong, Rangkhol and Darlong. There is a lack of documentation
of the language. It is not taught in schools and no air-time is available in electronic
media like radio and television. So far a few biblical and hymnal books in Chiru
have been published.
The Roman script is used to write the Chiru language. The Bible and some song books
are available in the Chiru language. A number of books titled Chiru Chonglelalui
Rishim, Chiru Folk Lore, Chirugi Chatnabi Thajanabi Amashung Chinbung Warishing
in Manipuri language, The Chiru Proverbs and Phrases, and Idioms and Poem and Mapak
na are some of the books written by Angam Zatung Raja Chiru.
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Religion and Occupation
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The Chirus practice Christianity as their religion. Jhum Cultivation is the main
occupation of Chiru people. They cultivate rice, maize, millet and vegetables.
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The present work
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At present, an attempt to describe and document the language and to produce an English-Chiru
dictionary along with documentation of the ethno linguistic profile is undergoing.
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