Waata

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
ssn
Alternate Names
Ariangulu, Langulo, Sanya, Sanye, Waat, Wasanye
User Population

20,100 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Location

Isiolo county: north of Meru town; Garissa and Lamu counties: east of Tana river; Kilifi county: Indian Ocean coast and inland from Formosa Bay south to Gongoni town; Tana River county: Garsen area west of Tana river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Oromo
Language Use

Home, social gatherings. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Kigiryama [nyf]. Also use Kipfokomo [pkb]. Also use Kiwilwana [mlk]. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Grammar.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Waata
Writing

Latin script [Latn], limited usage.

Other Comments

Maintaining their language in spite of economic change and pressure from other languages. Distinct language from Dahalo [dal] (Sanye) or Aweer [bob]. Muslim, Christian.