Bila

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639: bip
Alternate Names: Ebila, Forest Bira, KiBila, Western Bila
Population: 40,000 (1993 SIL).
Location:: Ituri province: Irumu territory; Nord-Kivu province: northwest of Beni.
Language Status: 6a* (Vigorous).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Bira-Nyali (D.311)
Dialects: Bombi-Ngbanja, Nyaku. Lexical similarity: 94% between dialects, closely related to other Bira languages: 80% with Kaeku [kkq], 72% with Bhele [bhy], 70% with Komo [kmw], nearly 60% with Bira [brf] and Amba [rwm], 46% with Beeke [bkf], 45% with Bwa [bww], 40% with Lika [lik] and Bali [bcp], 26% with Mbo [zmw], 22% with Budu [buu] and Ndaka [ndk].
Language Use: Also use Congo Swahili [swc], especially about 25% of men, and 10%–15% of women have routine proficiency in it, but older adults have no proficiency.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Bila
Writing: Latin script [Latn], minimal usage.
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.

Location: Ituri province: Irumu territory; Nord-Kivu province: northwest of Beni.