C’Lela | Ethnologue

A language of Nigeria

ISO 639: dri
Alternate Names: Cala-Cala, Chilala, Chilela, CˀLela, Dakakari, Dakarci, Dakarkari, Dakkarkari, Kalla-Kalla, Kolela, Lalawa, Lela, Zuru
Autonym: C’Lela
Population: 90,000 (1993 SIL).
Location:: Kebbi state: Donko-Wasagu, Sakaba, and Zuru LGAs; Niger state: Rijau LGA; west Zamfara state: Gummi LGA border area.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Kainji, Western, Duka
Dialects: Zuru (Lila, Senchi, Southern Lela), Dabai (Central Lela), Ribah, Adoma (Aroma, Northern Lela, Roma, Roma-Na, Yelmo). Lexical similarity: 93%–98% with dialects at Rade, Ribah, Dabai, and Senchi, 55% with ut-Hun [uth], 54% with the Fakai sub-group, 47% with Gwamhi-Wuri [bga], 20% with Acipa [acp].
Language Use: Used by all. Also use Hausa [hau]. Used as L2 by Cicipu [awc], Damakawa [dam], Gwamhi-Wuri [bga], Tsuvadi [tvd].
Language Development: Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2020.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about C’Lela
Writing: Latin script [Latn], used since 2001.
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.

Location: Kebbi state: Donko-Wasagu, Sakaba, and Zuru LGAs; Niger state: Rijau LGA; west Zamfara state: Gummi LGA border area.