Kuria

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
kuj
Alternate Names
Egikuria, Ekikuria, Ikikuria, Kikuria, Kikuria cha Mashariki, Kikuria cha juu, Koria, Kulia, Kurya, Kurye
Autonym
Igikuria
User Population

424,000 in Tanzania (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009). Total users in all countries: 738,000.

Location

Mara region: Musoma rural and Tarime districts, near Kenya border; some in north Serengeti.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Logooli-Kuria (E.43)
Dialects

15–20 clans in Tanzania, each with slightly different dialect. Clans consider themselves to speak the Kuria language rather than the language of their clan. Lexical similarity: 73% with Ngoreme [ngq], 84% with Kiroba (Suba-Simbiti [ssc] dialect).

Language Use

Vigorous. Most domains. Swahili [swh] used for official functions and when non-Kuria speakers are present. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swa].

Language Development

Grammar. NT: 1996.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kuria
Writing

Latin script [Latn], in development.

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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