Ha

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
haq
Alternate Names
Giha, Igiha, Ikiha, Kiha, Ruha, Ruhaa
User Population

1,230,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009). Many monolinguals.

Location

Kigoma region: near Burundi border; Kagera and Shinyanga regions.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Ruanda-Rundi (D.66)
Dialects

Dialects in border area near Burundi reportedly intelligible with Rundi [run] (Polomé and Hill 1980). Lexical similarity: 78% with Rundi [run], 77% with Hangaza [han] and Shubi [suj], 72% with Kinyarwanda [kin].

Language Use

Vigorous. Also spoken by the Jiji people in the Ujiji area. Used by all.

Language Development

Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1960–1962.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ha
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.