Bena | Ethnologue

A language of Tanzania

ISO 639: bez
Alternate Names: Bena Manga, Benamanga, EkiBene, Ikibena, Kibena, ekiBena
Autonym: Ekibena
Population: 592,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009).
Location:: Njombe region: Njombe district; southwest Morogoro and north Ruvuma regions.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Bena-Kinga (G.63)
Dialects: Ilembula, Kilavungi (Kilavagi), Lupembe, Masakati (Masagati), Masitu, Mavemba, Maswamu, Ngaveeta, Nyikolwe, Sovi (Sove), Twangabita, Kinamanga, Ulanga. Lexical similarity: 71% with Pangwa [pbr], 65% with Hehe [heh], 55% with Sangu [sbp], 53% with Kinga [zga], 51% with Vwanji [wbi], 47% with Kisi [kiz].
Typology: SVO; prepositions; noun classes; 22 consonant phonemes; verbal affixation; 10 vowel phonemes (5 qualities, each with phonemic length contrast); tonal.
Language Use: Private domains, market, traditional rituals. Used by all. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Low. Swahili to Bena transitional literacy work begun (SIL). Some older Bena can read and write their language as used in early 1900’s. Literature. Radio. Grammar. NT: 1914–2012.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Bena
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian.

Location: Njombe region: Njombe district; southwest Morogoro and north Ruvuma regions.