Introduction

Introduction

Since primitive times, Nepal is a country rich in tribes, languages, religions, cultures, customs and traditions. Each species has its own genus, language, religion, culture, custom and tradition. The Lohorung people, especially those who live in Pangma and its surrounding parts of the hillside district of Shankhuwasabha of eastern Nepal have their own, language, religion, culture, custom and tradition just as do other regions and language groups in Nepal. These things exist as our identity and ancestry wealth. For many reasons we are not able to develop, preserve and promote these things according to the changing times. Finally our language, religion, culture, customs and tradition are becoming extinct day by day. If no one takes care of it in order to develop, preserve and promote these things now, after few generations our language, religion, culture, custom and tradition may be lost completely. Once it's lost, no matter how eagerly we seek it, we will never be able to get it back.

Keeping all these points in mind, SIL International took initiative to organize language development works with the involvement of The Nepal Academy, Tribhuwan University Central Department of Linguistics and National Foundation For Development of Indigenous Nationalities. Many programs, workshops, seminars and meetings were conducted where many respected Lohorung speakers have actively participated. After much discussion and suggestions from them, we felt that we should produce a dictionary that will help develop, preserve, and promote the Lohorung language. This dictionary is an ongoing work and we will continue to make improvements based on suggestions from the Lohorung community and other users of this dictionary.

As much as possible we have tried to make this dictionary easy, flawless, natural and clear. There is no doubt that there are many faults, errors and mistakes with this book. We promise that we will correct those faults, errors and mistakes using your suggestions and reactions or responses.

Mr. Urash Lohorung Rai

Pangma, Shankhuwasabha