Daasanach

Primary tabs

A language of Ethiopia

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: lower Omo river, along Lake Turkana.

Also spoken in:

Expand All

Collapse All

Kenya

Language NameDaasanach

User Population

18,400 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Population varies as people freely cross the Ethiopian border. 6,250 monolinguals.

Location

Marsabit and Turkana counties: north Lake Turkana, both shores.

Alternate Names

Daasanech, Dama, Dasenech, Dathanaik, Dhaasanac, Geleb, Geleba, Gheleba, Marille, Reshiat, “Shangilla” (pej.)

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Home, social gatherings with no outsiders. Positive attitudes. Some also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Turkana [tuv].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. First primary class completed national exams in 2007.

Other Comments

8 ethnic groups: Inkabelo (7,000), Inkoria (2,000), Naritch (Naarich 1,800), Elele (1,500), Randal (1,000), Oro (800), Koro (500), and Riele (400). Traditional religion.

View other languages of Kenya

Daasanach

Primary tabs

A language of Ethiopia

Also spoken in:

Browse by

25th Edition

Products

Related Sites