Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
coh
Alternate Names
Chonyi, Conyi, Kichonyi
User Population

309,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Chonyi 199,000; Jibana 38,500; Kauma 71,100 (2019 census).

Location

Kilifi county: Indian Ocean area northeast of Mombasa.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Nyika-Taita (E.72)
Dialects

Chonyi (Chichonyi, Kichonyi), Jibana (Chidzihana), Kauma (Chikauma). May understand Kigiryama [nyf]. Kauma (Chikauma) now considered to be a dialect of Kigiryama (2012 M. Wekunda).

Language Use

Home, community. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Kigiryama [nyf], or other Mijikenda varieties. Most also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Kigiryama [nyf].

Language Development

Bible portions: 2016.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma
Writing

Latin script [Latn], in development.

Other Comments

9 ethnic groups form the Mijikenda community. Christian, Muslim.