Kisi

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
kiz
Alternate Names
Kese, Kikisi
User Population

11,000 (2012 SIL). Ethnic population: 15,000 (2012 SIL).

Location

Njombe region: Ludewa district, Mwambao division, Lupingu and Makonde wards, Lifuma, Lupingu, Makonde, and Nindi are main villages; Lake Nyasa northwest shore.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Bena-Kinga (G.67)
Dialects

None known. Lexical similarity: 62% with Pangwa [pbr], 55% with Kinga [zga], 53% with Sangu [sbp], 52% with Vwanji [wbi], and 47% with Bena [bez].

Language Use

Vigorous in heartland area. Some of all ages. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development

Texts. Bible portions: 2019.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kisi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Different from Kisii [guz] (Gusii) of Kenya. Christian, traditional religion.