Bira | Ethnologue

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639: brf
Alternate Names: Bera, Plains Bira, Sese, Sumbura, WaBira
Autonym: Kibira
Population: 120,000 (1992 SIL).
Location:: Ituri province: Irumu territory.
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Bira-Nyali (D.32)
Dialects: One dialect, but some variation around Solenyama. Lexical similarity: 70% with Amba [rwm]; 56%–59% with Bila [bip], Kaeku [kkq], Bhele [bhy], and Komo [kmw]; 47% with Bwa [bww], Lika [lik], and Bali [bcp]; 22% with Nyali [nlj] and Budu [buu].
Language Use: Also use Congo Swahili [swc], but not among older adults.
Language Development: Bible portions: 1930.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Bira
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

Location: Ituri province: Irumu territory.