Sabaot

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
spy
Alternate Names
Sebei, “Mount Elgon Maasai” (pej.)
Autonym
Sābāwōōt
User Population

296,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Location

Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties: Mount Elgon southeastern slopes.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Core, Eastern Sudanic, Southern (n languages), Nilotic, Southern, Kalenjin, Elgon
Dialects

Bong’omeek (Bong’om, Pong’om), Koony (Kony), Book (Bok, Pok), Soomeek, Mosoop, Sabiiny. Related to Kupsapiiny [kpz] of Uganda. A member of macrolanguage Kalenjin [kln].

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, social gatherings, religion. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Bukusu [bxk]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: Over 30%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%. Elaborate mother-tongue education program. Taught as subject in some primary schools. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2012.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Sabaot
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Example of language revitalization. Christian, traditional religion.