Bhele

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
bhy
Alternate Names
Bili, Ebhele, Ipere, Kipere, Kipili, Pere, Peri, Pili, Piri
User Population

15,000 (1989).

Location

Ituri province: several enclaves; Nord-Kivu province: Lubero territory, west of Butembo. Munjoa (Southern Bhele dialect).

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Bira-Nyali (D.31)
Dialects

Bugombe (Ebugombe). Lexical similarity: 80% with Kaeku [kkq] and Komo [kmw], 70% with Bila [bip], less than 60% with Bira [brf] and Amba [rwm], 40% with Bali [bcp] and Lika [lik].

Language Use

Also use Congo Swahili [swc]. Also use Nande [nnb].

Language Development

Bible portions: 1939–1987.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bhele
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Different from Peri, a dialect of Kalanga [kck] of Zimbabwe. Names of ethnic groups: Babeka, Baleje, Batike, Babhogombe (Bapakombe, Bugombe, Ebugombe), Babhaidhomba, and Babhogala (Bapokara). Bapakombe may be separate language.