Hehe

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
heh
Alternate Names
Ehe, Ekiehe, KiHehe, Wahehe
Autonym
Kihehe
User Population

1,210,000 (2016), decreasing.

Location

Iringa region: south of Gogo area; Dodoma, Mbeya, and Morogoro regions.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Bena-Kinga (G.62)
Dialects

Sungwa (Dzungwa, Tsungwa), Kosisamba (Kojisamba, Kotsisamba). Lexical similarity: 65% with Bena [bez] (most similar), 59% with Pangwa [pbr], 56% with Sangu [sbp], 50% with Kinga [zga], 48% with Vwanji [wbi].

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Negative attitudes.

Language Development

Dictionary. NT: 2009.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Hehe
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.