Hmar (Hmar Țawng)

Hmar is a member of the Northern Mizo branch of the Kuki-Chin-Naga group of Tibeto-Burman languages. It is spoken by about 99,000 people in the northeast of India, particularly in the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, and also Tripura and Meghalaya.

Hmar was first documented in the early 20th century mainly by missionaries. They translated religious works, including the Bible, and other books into the language. More recently, Hmar people have published books and magazines in Hmar, and there active communities of Hmar users online.

Hmar is also known as Mhar or Khawsak, and Hmar speakers call their language Hmar Țawng or Khawsak Țawng. It is recognised as a minority language in Manipur and Assam, and is used as a medium of instruction and/or taught in some schools and universities in Assam, Manipur and Mizoram. It is written with the Latin script, and the written language is based on the Khawsak dialect.

Hmar alphabet (Hmar Hawrawp) and pronunciation

Download a Hmar alphabet chart (Excel)

Sample text

Mi po po zalèna pieng Ei ni a, inzàumna le indikna chavoah intluk tlâng vawng Ei nih. Sie le ṭha hrietna mizie neia siem Ei ni leiin Ei mihriem puihai chungah inunauna lungril Ei put tlat ding a nih.

Hear a recording of this text (from ILoveLanguages!)

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Sample videos

Information about Hmar | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Languages written with the Bengali/Assamese alphabet

Atong, Bengali, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Bodo, Bhumij, Chittagonian, Garo, Hajong, Karbi, Kharia, Khasi, Koch, Koda, Kokborok, Kurmali, Malto, Manipuri, Mundari, Noakhailla, Rangpuri, Sadri, Santali, Sylheti, Toto, Tanchangya

Page last modified: 10.02.26

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