Page Type: languageLese | Ethnologue

LES ISO 639-3

Lese

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639
les
Alternate Names
Balese, Lesa, Lesse, Lissi, Mbuti, Walese, Walisi
Population
50,000 (1991 SIL).
Location:
Haut-Uele province: Watsa territory; Ituri province: Djugu, Irumu, and Mambasa territories; Nord-Kivu province: border enclave north of Beni.
Language Status
6a* (Vigorous).
Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Satellites, Central Sudanic, East, Mangbutu-Efe
Dialects
Lese Karo, Arumbi (Upstream Lese), Ndese (Lese Dese), Vukutu (Obi, Vonkutu), Fare. Reportedly similar to Mamvu [mdi], Bendi [bct], Mangbutu [mdk], and Efe [efe].
Language Use
Some also use Bangala [bxg]. Also use Congo Swahili [swc].
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lese
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Haut-Uele province: Watsa territory; Ituri province: Djugu, Irumu, and Mambasa territories; Nord-Kivu province: border enclave north of Beni.