Bira

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
brf
Alternate Names
Bera, Plains Bira, Sese, Sumbura, WaBira
Autonym
Kibira
User Population

120,000 (1992 SIL).

Location

Ituri province: Irumu territory.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Bira-Nyali (D.32)
Dialects

One dialect, but some variation around Solenyama. Lexical similarity: 70% with Amba [rwm]; 56%–59% with Bila [bip], Kaeku [kkq], Bhele [bhy], and Komo [kmw]; 47% with Bwa [bww], Lika [lik], and Bali [bcp]; 22% with Nyali [nlj] and Budu [buu].

Language Use

Also use Congo Swahili [swc], but not among older adults.

Language Development

Bible portions: 1930.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bira
Writing

Latin script [Latn].