Bhele

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639: bhy
Alternate Names: Bili, Ebhele, Ipere, Kipere, Kipili, Pere, Peri, Pili, Piri
Population: 15,000 (1989).
Location:: Ituri province: several enclaves; Nord-Kivu province: Lubero territory, west of Butembo. Munjoa (Southern Bhele dialect).
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Bira-Nyali (D.31)
Dialects: Bugombe (Ebugombe). Lexical similarity: 80% with Kaeku [kkq] and Komo [kmw], 70% with Bila [bip], less than 60% with Bira [brf] and Amba [rwm], 40% with Bali [bcp] and Lika [lik].
Language Use: Also use Congo Swahili [swc]. Also use Nande [nnb].
Language Development: Bible portions: 1939–1987.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Bhele
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Different from Peri, a dialect of Kalanga [kck] of Zimbabwe. Names of ethnic groups: Babeka, Baleje, Batike, Babhogombe (Bapakombe, Bugombe, Ebugombe), Babhaidhomba, and Babhogala (Bapokara). Bapakombe may be separate language.

Location: Ituri province: several enclaves; Nord-Kivu province: Lubero territory, west of Butembo. Munjoa (Southern Bhele dialect).