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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00002107 Country Bhutan ICH Domain Oral traditions and representations Address Chali Gewog center is located 23km drive from Mongar town, ranging altitude from 900m to 2400m from sea level. Chalipa language is fluently spoken by all the native people and most of the government and cooperate people. As per the gewog census record there are 1183 of people residing in Chali gewog and 1202 people of Chalipa residing out of Chali. Chali is believed to be named by 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284–1339) since the place was seen like letter “Cha” in Choekey alphabet (Buddhist language) when look from Tsamang gewog, therefore, it got the name from it. Ex. Tshogpa (village representative) Lhalung la narrated that Chali got the name, from the stone inscription in Chali Lhakhag (Temple) which is believed to be written by 3rd Karmapa to make his prophesy. That inscription can be still seen in Chali Lhakhag. The word “CHA YIG” meaning hand written got the name of place later with the passing time, pronunciation got modified as ‘Chali’. During olden days people were very fond of local wine and all the household use to prepare it and they use to drink almost all the day. Therefore, Some Memey Tenzin Norbu shared that it got the name from ‘Chang-ling’ meaning village of Ara (local wine) which he heard the story from his grandparents.Year of Designation 1984
| Description | Chali kha is a language spoken only by Chali Gewog (block) people and few older citizen of Tsakaling gewog under Mongar Dzongkhag (district). It is believed to be originated from sino-tibetan language as per the research published in Dzongkha grammar book on language. Gewog Mangmi (Community Representative) coined that till date Chali language haven’t transformed or influenced by other languages. They still speak in the same tone which was there during their grandparents time just new words were borrowed for new things and equipment’s which were not in their language. As per the recollecting of Memey (Grandpa) Tenzin Norbu who is 81 years of age, Chalipa (People of Chali) language hasn’t change in its tune and meaning of words till date. Chalipa language is a widely spoken language among the community for any type of functions, gathering or to communicate amongst themselves. Chali kha got the name from a place chali and the people from the Chali gewog are known as Chalipas. Though language is spoken only by 2,385 people in the world its status is still good and has preserved all the values in it. |
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| Social and cultural significance | Chali language shows the rich culture and tradition preserved till date which has been passed from parent to children. It signifies the uniqueness and Chalipa language form rest of the world. Among themselves they still share the bond and oneness, and pride being Chalipa. They are deeply connected to one another through their native language. |
| Transmission method | It has been transmitted orally from parent to children and community to younger generations. They do communicate in their language within their house and community. |
| Community | All the communities in Chali are brought up in their native language. It’s very common to speak in their native language among themselves. Still it’s not confirmed from where it got the place name Chali since it got various oral proofs on it. Only few older Chalipa speaking generations are left in Torma-zhong, under Tsakaling Gewog and out there new generation speaks Cho-cha nga-cha kha also called kurmey kha(dialect of lower communities of Lhuentse district). Currently people from almost all the Dzongkhag (district) has settled in Chali through marriage. Chalipas can be trace back to seven different origin: native of Chali who are believed to be from Chali only whose origin cannot be trace beyond Chali , Dungsampa form Ngalam (People of Pema Gatshel), Kurtoep (People of Lhuentse), Indian, Khengpa (People of Zhemgang) and Masang (giants and strong). Data collected by: Mr. Sonam Gyeltshen, Teacher Chali Lower Secondary School, Mongar |