Màwés Aasʼè
PrintPrimary tabs
A language of Ethiopia
Alternate Names
Amam, Bambassi, Bambeshi, Didessa, Fadiro, Mawes Aasse, Northern Mao, Siggoyo
Autonym
Màwés Aasʼè
User Population
2,300 (2011 M. Ahland).
Location
Benishangul-Gumuz region: Bambassi area toward the east to the Yabus River and also 300 km to the east in the Didessa river valley; Oromia region: western Wellaga zone.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Dialects
Didessa, Bambassi. Lexical similarity: 30% with other Omotic languages, 60% with Sezo [hoz] (Bender 2003).
Typology
SOV.
Language Use
Used by all. Mixed attitudes. Children in some areas (e.g. Wamba) are no longer learning the language. Most also use West Central Oromo [gaz], learning it as children and using it in many domains. A few also use Amharic [amh], especially some adults in Bambassi area. Also use Berta [wti]. Also use Eastern Oromo [hae].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 5%. Taught as subject in some primary schools in grades 1–3.
Muslim.