Dawida

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
dav
Alternate Names
Dabida, Davida, Kidabida, Kitaita, Taita, Teita
Autonym
Kidawida
User Population

344,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Location

Taita-Taveta county: Taita hills.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Nyika-Taita (E.74)
Dialects

Mbololo, Werugha, Mbale, Chawia, Bura, Mwanda, Kasigau. Lexical similarity: 62% with Sagalla [tga], 46% with Gweno [gwe], 41%–44% with Chaga languages.

Language Use

Home, social gatherings, religion. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–70% in Kiswahili [swh]. Kiswahili [swh] used as language of instruction. Grammar. Bible: 1998.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dawida
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.