Saamya-Gwe | Ethnologue

A language of Uganda

ISO 639: lsm
Alternate Names: Bagwe, Basamia, Saamia
Autonym: Lusaamya-Lugwe, Ólusaamya
Population: 525,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. 421,000 Saamya, 100,000 Gwe and 4,000 Heehe (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 609,800.
Location:: Bugiri, Busia, and Namayingo districts: near Kenya border, Lake Victoria is southern boundary.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Masaba-Luhya (E.34)
Dialects: Saamya (Saamia, Samia), Gwe (Lugwe), Heehe (Luheehe, Luhehe). Lexical similarity: 88% with Oluwanga [lwg], 80% with Olunyole [nyd], 62% with Masaba [myx] (Uganda), 59%–61% with Ganda [lug] (Uganda), 52% with Luidakho-Luisukha-Lutirichi [ida], 51% with Gwere [gwr] (Uganda). A member of macrolanguage Oluluyia [luy].
Typology: SVO.
Language Use: Vigorous. Home, market, religion, work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Swahili [swh]. Many also use Ganda [lug]. Some also use Soga [xog]. Used as L2 by Kenye [lke].
Language Development: Taught in primary schools. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Texts. Bible: 2018.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Saamya-Gwe
Writing: Latin script [Latn], used since 1904.
Other Comments: Part of Luyia macrolanguage. Christian, traditional religion.