Kwaya

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
kya
Alternate Names
Kikwaya
Autonym
Ekikwaya
User Population

100,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009). Includes 26,000 Ruri. Ethnic population: 115,000. 70,000 Kwaya and 45,000 Ruri.

Location

Mara region: Musoma rural district, Nyanja division, and Musoma urban district.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Haya-Jita (E.251)
Dialects

Ruri (Ciruri, Eciruri, Eciruuri, Kirori, Kiruri, Kishyola, Luri, Rori). Lexical similarity: 89% with Ruri dialect; 83% with Jita [jit], 80% with Kara [reg].

Typology

SVO; 5-vowel system contrasted long and short vowels, H-L Lexical tone on verbs and nouns, H-L grammatical tone.

Language Use

People moving to the area learn Kwaya. Most domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Bible portions: 2009–2013.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kwaya
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.