Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma

A language of Kenya

ISO 639: coh
Alternate Names: Chonyi, Conyi, Kichonyi
Population: 309,000 (2019 census), increasing. , based on ethnicity. Chonyi 199,000; Jibana 38,500; Kauma 71,100 (2019 census).
Location:: Kilifi county: Indian Ocean area northeast of Mombasa.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Nyika-Taita (E.72)
Dialects: Chonyi (Chichonyi, Kichonyi), Jibana (Chidzihana), Kauma (Chikauma). May understand Kigiryama [nyf]. Kauma (Chikauma) now considered to be a dialect of Kigiryama (2012 M. Wekunda).
Language Use: Home, community. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Kigiryama [nyf], or other Mijikenda varieties. Most also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Kigiryama [nyf].
Language Development: Bible portions: 2016.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma
Writing: Latin script [Latn], in development.
Other Comments: 9 ethnic groups form the Mijikenda community. Christian, Muslim.

Location: Kilifi county: Indian Ocean area northeast of Mombasa.