Kuzhami language

{{Short description|Sino-Tibetan language of Nagaland, India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox language

| name = Kuzhami

| nativename =

| pronunciation =

| states = India

| region = Nagaland

| ethnicity = Chakhesang Naga

| speakers = 41,625

| date = 2011 census

| ref = {{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language_MTs.html|title=Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2018-07-07}}

| familycolor = Sino-Tibetan

| fam2 = Angami–Pochuri

| iso3 = nkh

| glotto = khez1235

| glottorefname = Khezha Naga

}}

{{Naga people}}

Kuzha, or Khezha, is a major language of the Chakhesang Naga ethnic group of Phek District in the southern part of Nagaland, India. It is generally spoken by the Kuzhami people and is one of the three major languages of the Chakhesang Nagas. Khezha or Kuzhale is predominantly spoken in Pfütsero and Chizami region of Phek District. It is also spoken by few villages in the northern part of Ukhrul District in the state of Manipur. It also shares a high lexical similarity with the Mao Language and Paomai Language. This intelligibility has been however, reduced due to Chokri and Pochuric influences.