Kumam

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
kdi
Alternate Names
Akokolemu, Akum, Ikokolemu, Ikumama, Kuman, Kumum
Autonym
Kumam
User Population

266,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Location

Amuria, Kaberamaido, Serere, and Soroti districts: Lake Kwania area; some in Amolatar, Buyende, Dokolo, Kamuli, Lira, and Otuke districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Core, Eastern Sudanic, Southern (n languages), Nilotic, Western, Luo, Southern, Kuman
Dialects

None known. Mutually intelligible of Acholi [ach] and Lango [laj]. Lexical similarity: 82% with Acholi [ach], 81% with Lango [laj].

Language Use

Home, market. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Ateso [teo]. Most also use English [eng]. Many also use Lango [laj].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 20% in English [eng]. Taught as subject in some secondary schools, as ‘Lwo’, sharing materials with Acholi [ach], Alur [alz], Jopadhola [adh], and Lango [laj]. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2014.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kumam
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Ladefoged, Glick and Criper (1972) and Bender (1988 M. Bender) classify Kumam as Southern Luo; some linguists classify it in the Dinka group. Kumam oral tradition gives a Teso descent. Christian.