Luba-Kasai

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3

lua

Alternate Names

Bena-Lulua, Ciluba, Luba-Lulua, Luva, Western Luba

Autonym

Tshiluba

User Population

7,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, all users. L1 users: 6,300,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1991 UBS). L2 users: 700,000. Total users in all countries: 7,060,000 (as L1: 6,360,000; as L2: 700,000).

Location

Kasai-Oriental; Kasai province: southeastern third; Sankuru province.

Language Maps

Angola

Southern Democratic Republic of Congo

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Kasai Region (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Luba (L.31)

Dialects

Lulua, Luluwa, West Luba. Significant dialect differences between East Kasai region (Baluba people) and West Kasai region (Bena Lulua people). Reportedly similar to Hemba [hem].

Language Use

Also use French [fra].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: Over 60% among Christians. Taught in most primary and secondary schools through grade 2 and as subject thereafter in the south-central part of the country. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1927–1996.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Luba-Kasai

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.