Kango

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639: kzy
Alternate Names: Dikango, Kango Pygmy, Kikango, Likango, “Dibatchua” (pej.), “Kibatchua” (pej.)
Population: 2,000 (1998 T. Harvey).
Location:: Tshopo province: Bafwasende territory, Bakundumu and Bemili collectivités.
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Lega-Holoholo (D.211)
Dialects: 2 dialects. Lexical similarity: 78% with Komo [kmw], 72% with Bila [bip], 60% with Bali [bcp], 50% with Lika [lik].
Typology: 5 vowels.
Language Use: Many also use Lingala [lin]. Also use Bali [bcp]. Also use Congo Swahili [swc].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 1%.
Other Comments: The language is evidently a combination of Komo and Bali, with some borrowings from the Bila-based pygmy language. Different from the riverine Kango [kty] to the north, who are fishermen. Those who attend school complete standard 1 or 2 classes. Traditional religion.

Location: Tshopo province: Bafwasende territory, Bakundumu and Bemili collectivités.