LUA ISO 639-3
Luba-Kasai
Tshiluba Autonym
A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo
- ISO 639
- lua
- Alternate Names
- Bena-Lulua, Ciluba, Luba-Lulua, Luva, Western Luba
- Autonym
- Tshiluba
- Population
- 7,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, all users. L1 users: 6,300,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1991 UBS). L2 users: 700,000. Total users in all countries: 7,060,000 (as L1: 6,360,000; as L2: 700,000).
- Location:
- Kasai-Oriental; Kasai province: southeastern third; Sankuru province.
- Language Status
- 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Kasai Region (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)).
- Classification
- Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Luba (L.31)
- Dialects
- Lulua, Luluwa, West Luba. Significant dialect differences between East Kasai region (Baluba people) and West Kasai region (Bena Lulua people). Reportedly similar to Hemba [hem].
- Language Use
- Also use French [fra].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L2: Over 60% among Christians. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1927–1996.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Luba-Kasai
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Christian.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Lunda Norte province: Cambulo, Chitato, Cuilo, and Lucapa municipalities.
- Language Status
- 6a (Vigorous) View other languages of Angola
Language Name
Luba-Kasai
User Population
60,000 in Angola (2018 L. Jordan).
Map
Location: Kasai-Oriental; Kasai province: southeastern third; Sankuru province.
Size and Vitality
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