Kumam | Ethnologue

A language of Uganda

ISO 639: kdi
Alternate Names: Akokolemu, Akum, Ikokolemu, Ikumama, Kuman, Kumum
Autonym: Kumam
Population: 266,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.
Location:: Amuria, Kaberamaido, Serere, and Soroti districts: Lake Kwania area; some in Amolatar, Buyende, Dokolo, Kamuli, Lira, and Otuke districts.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Core, Eastern Sudanic, Southern (n languages), Nilotic, Western, Luo, Southern, Kuman
Dialects: None known. Mutually intelligible of Acholi [ach] and Lango [laj]. Lexical similarity: 82% with Acholi [ach], 81% with Lango [laj].
Language Use: Home, market. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Ateso [teo]. Most also use English [eng]. Many also use Lango [laj].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 20% in English [eng]. Used in primary schools, but no primers available. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2014.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kumam
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Ladefoged, Glick and Criper (1972) and Bender (1988 M. Bender) classify Kumam as Southern Luo; some linguists classify it in the Dinka group. Kumam oral tradition gives a Teso descent. Christian.

Location: Amuria, Kaberamaido, Serere, and Soroti districts: Lake Kwania area; some in Amolatar, Buyende, Dokolo, Kamuli, Lira, and Otuke districts.