Kwaya | Ethnologue

A language of Tanzania

ISO 639: kya
Alternate Names: Kikwaya
Autonym: Ekikwaya
Population: 100,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009). Includes 26,000 Ruri. Ethnic population: 115,000. 70,000 Kwaya and 45,000 Ruri.
Location:: Mara region: Musoma rural district, Nyanja division, and Musoma urban district.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Haya-Jita (E.251)
Dialects: Ruri (Ciruri, Eciruri, Eciruuri, Kirori, Kiruri, Kishyola, Luri, Rori). Lexical similarity: 89% with Ruri dialect; 83% with Jita [jit], 80% with Kara [reg].
Typology: SVO; 5-vowel system contrasted long and short vowels, H-L Lexical tone on verbs and nouns, H-L grammatical tone.
Language Use: People moving to the area learn Kwaya. Most domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Bible portions: 2009–2013.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kwaya
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Mara region: Musoma rural district, Nyanja division, and Musoma urban district.