Yakkha language

Yakkha
याक्खा
RegionSikkim, Nepal
Native speakers
20,000 (2011 census)
Sino-Tibetan
Devanagari
Language codes
ISO 639-3ybh – inclusive code
Individual codes:
lmh  Lambichhong (duplicate code)
phw  Phangduwali (duplicate code)
luu  Lumba-Yakkha (duplicate code)
Glottologyakk1236
ELPYakha

Yakkha (also erroneously spelled as Yakha) is a language spoken in parts of Nepal, Darjeeling district and Sikkim. The Yakkha-speaking villages are located to the East of the Arun river, in the southern part of the Sankhuwasabha district and in the northern part of the Dhankuta district of Nepal. About 14,000 people still speak the language, out of 17,003 ethnic Yakkha in Nepal. Genealogically, Yakkha belongs to the Eastern Kiranti languages and is in one subgroup with several Limbu languages, e.g. Belhare, Athpare, Chintang and Chulung. Ethnically however, the Yakkha people perceive themselves as distinct from the other Kiranti groups such as Limbu.