Kango

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
kzy
Alternate Names
Dikango, Kango Pygmy, Kikango, Likango, “Dibatchua” (pej.), “Kibatchua” (pej.)
User Population

2,000 (1998 T. Harvey).

Location

Tshopo province: Bafwasende territory, Bakundumu and Bemili collectivités.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Lega-Holoholo (D.211)
Dialects

2 dialects. Lexical similarity: 78% with Komo [kmw], 72% with Bila [bip], 60% with Bali [bcp], 50% with Lika [lik].

Typology

5 vowels.

Language Use

Many also use Lingala [lin]. Also use Bali [bcp]. Also use Congo Swahili [swc].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 1%.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kango
Other Comments

The language is evidently a combination of Komo and Bali, with some borrowings from the Bila-based pygmy language. Different from the riverine Kango [kty] to the north, who are fishermen. Those who attend school complete standard 1 or 2 classes. Traditional religion.