Sukuma

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
suk
Alternate Names
Kesukuma
Autonym
Kisukuma
User Population

8,130,000 (2016), increasing.

Location

Geita, Kagera, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, and Tabora regions; some in Kigoma and Mara regions; between Lake Victoria and Lake Rukwa, to Serengeti plain, Gwe and Kiya; few in cities, 88% in the traditional area.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Sukuma-Nyamwezi (F.21)
Dialects

Kiya (East Sukuma, Jinakiiya, Kemunakeeya, Kiiya, Kimunakiiya), Gwe (Kemunangweeli, Kigwe, West Sukuma), Kemunadakama (South Sukuma), Nasa (Kinaanasa), SumaaBu (KisumaaBu), Nelaa (Kinaanelaa), Ntuzu (Gina-Ntuzu, Kimunantuzu), Kemunasukuma (Kimuna-Sukuma, North Sukuma). Dialects contiguous with Nyamwezi and mutually intelligible along the border of the two people groups. Lexical similarity: 84% with Nyamwezi [nym], 59% with Sumbwa [suw] and Nyaturu [rim], 57% with Kimbu [kiv], 55% with Nilamba [nim], 49% with Langi [lag].

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Hadza [hts], Zinza [zin].

Language Development

Some literacy work. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1960–2015.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Sukuma
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.