Bena
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A language of Tanzania
592,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009).
Njombe region: Njombe district; southwest Iringa, southwest Morogoro and north Ruvuma regions.
5 (Developing).
Ilembula, Kilavungi (Kilavagi), Lupembe, Masakati (Masagati), Masitu, Mavemba, Maswamu, Ngaveeta, Nyikolwe, Sovi (Sove), Twangabita, Kinamanga, Ulanga. Lexical similarity: 71% with Pangwa [pbr], 65% with Hehe [heh], 55% with Sangu [sbp], 53% with Kinga [zga], 51% with Vwanji [wbi], 47% with Kisi [kiz].
SVO; prepositions; noun classes; 22 consonant phonemes; verbal affixation; 10 vowel phonemes (5 qualities, each with phonemic length contrast); tonal.
Private domains, market, traditional rituals. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Benamanga [egm].
Literacy rate in L1: Low. Swahili to Bena transitional literacy work begun (SIL). Some older Bena can read and write their language as used in early 1900’s. Literature. Radio. Grammar. NT: 1914–2012.
Christian.