Lika

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
lik
Alternate Names
Kilika, Kpongo, Liko, Mabiti, Maliko, Toriko
Autonym
Liliko
User Population

60,000 (1989 SIL). 57,000 in Wamba Territory, 3,000 in Rungu Territory.

Location

Haut-Uele province: Rungu territory, Mongomasi collectivité; Wamba territory, Balika-Toriko collectivité.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Lega-Holoholo (D.201)
Dialects

Likó (Ikó), Lilikó, Liliká (Liká). Lexical similarity: 65%–70% with Bomokandi Kango [kty]; 55%–60% with Pagibete [pae], Bwa [bww], and Uélé Kango [kty]; 52% with Bali [bcp]; 51% with Ngelima [agh]; 46% with Komo [kmw]; 40% with Bhele [bhy], Bila [bip], and Bira [brf]; 30% with Budu [buu]; 25% with Lega languages and Lingala [lin].

Language Use

A few also use Bangala [bxg]. Also use Budu [buu]. Also use Congo Swahili [swc], especially in south Wamba zone. Also use Mangbetu [mdj], particularly the Meje dialect.

Language Development

NT: 2019.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lika
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

2 secondary schools, 15 primary schools, but Lika is not used in the schools. Christian, Muslim.