Saamya-Gwe

A language of Uganda

Bagwe, Basamia, Saamia

Lusaamya-Lugwe, Ólusaamya

525,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. 421,000 Saamya, 100,000 Gwe and 4,000 Heehe (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 609,800.

Location

Bugiri, Busia, and Namayingo districts: near Kenya border, Lake Victoria is southern boundary.

Language Maps

5 (Developing).

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Masaba-Luhya (E.34)

Dialects

Saamya (Saamia, Samia), Gwe (Lugwe), Heehe (Luheehe, Luhehe). Lexical similarity: 88% with Oluwanga [lwg], 80% with Olunyole [nyd], 62% with Masaba [myx] (Uganda), 59%–61% with Ganda [lug] (Uganda), 52% with Luidakho-Luisukha-Lutirichi [ida], 51% with Gwere [gwr] (Uganda). A member of macrolanguage Oluluyia [luy].

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, religion, work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Swahili [swh]. Many also use Ganda [lug]. Some also use Soga [xog]. Used as L2 by Kenye [lke].

Language Development

Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Texts. Bible: 2018.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Saamya-Gwe

Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since 1904.

Other Comments

Part of Luyia macrolanguage. Christian, traditional religion.