Nande

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
nnb
Alternate Names
Banande, Bayira, Kinandi, Nandi, Ndande, Ndandi, Northern Nande, Orundande
Autonym
Kinande
User Population

903,000 (1991 UBS).

Location

Ituri province: southeast; Nord-Kivu province: mainly Beni and Lubero territories.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Konzo-Ndandi (D.42)
Dialects

Nande, Kumbule (Ekikumbule), Mate (Ekimate), Tangi (Ekitangi), Sanza (Ekisanza), Shu (Ekishu), Ekisongoora (Nyangala, Songola), Swaga (Ekikira, Ekiswaga), Yira (Ekiyira). Lexical similarity: 75% with Konzo [koo]; 65% with Hunde [hke]; 55% with Tembo [tmv] and Shi [shr]; 45% with Nyoro [nyo], Nyanga [nyj], and Lega-Shabunda [lea]; 40% with Talinga-Bwisi [tlj]; 30% with Bhele [bhy]; 25% with Amba [rwm].

Language Use

Used as L2 by Bhele [bhy].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1980–1996.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nande
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

The Konzo (Bakonzo) in Uganda and Nande (Banande) in Democratic Republic of the Congo feel very much one people, the Bayira. They believe they originate from the Ruwenzori Mountains; the mountains belong to them and they to the mountains. This plays a very important role in their traditions and self-image. Christian.