Lika | Ethnologue

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639: lik
Alternate Names: Kilika, Kpongo, Liko, Mabiti, Maliko, Toriko
Autonym: Liliko
Population: 60,000 (1989 SIL). 57,000 in Wamba Territory, 3,000 in Rungu Territory.
Location:: Haut-Uele province: Rungu territory, Mongomasi collectivité; Wamba territory, Balika-Toriko collectivité.
Language Status: 5* (Developing).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Lega-Holoholo (D.201)
Dialects: Likó (Ikó), Lilikó, Liliká (Liká). Lexical similarity: 65%–70% with Bomokandi Kango [kty]; 55%–60% with Pagibete [pae], Bwa [bww], and Uélé Kango [kty]; 52% with Bali [bcp]; 51% with Ngelima [agh]; 46% with Komo [kmw]; 40% with Bhele [bhy], Bila [bip], and Bira [brf]; 30% with Budu [buu]; 25% with Lega languages and Lingala [lin].
Language Use: A few also use Bangala [bxg]. Also use Budu [buu]. Also use Congo Swahili [swc], especially in south Wamba zone. Also use Mangbetu [mdj], particularly the Meje dialect.
Language Development: NT: 2019.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Lika
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: 2 secondary schools, 15 primary schools, but Lika is not used in the schools. Christian, Muslim.

Location: Haut-Uele province: Rungu territory, Mongomasi collectivité; Wamba territory, Balika-Toriko collectivité.