Chiduruma

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
dug
Alternate Names
Duruma, “Wanyika” (pej.)
Autonym
Chiduruma
User Population

555,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Location

Kwale county: inland, south of Mombasa to Tanzania border.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

None known. 9 ethnic groups form the Mijikenda community. Chiduruma is reportedly the second least similar to Kigiryama [nyf]. Comprehension of Kiswahili [swh] and Chidigo [dig] is low. Lexical similarity: 74% with Chidigo [dig], 66% with Kiswahili [swh].

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, community. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Chidigo [dig]. Also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Chidigo [dig].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 13%. Language attitudes toward Kigiryama indicate the need for separate Chiduruma literature. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. NT: 1999.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chiduruma
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Ethnonym: Duruma. Traditional religion, Christian.