Masaaba | Ethnologue

A language of Uganda

ISO 639: myx
Alternate Names: Bagisu, Gisu, Kisu, Lugisu, Masaba
Autonym: Lumasaaba, Masaaba
Population: 1,650,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.
Location:: Bududa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Mbale, and Sironko districts; Mount Elgon area.
Language Status: 4 (Educational).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Masaba-Luhya (E.31)
Dialects: Ludadiri (Dadiri), Lubuuya (Buuya, Buya), Luwalasi, Luyobo, Luteza, Lufumbo. Intelligibility of Dadiri and Buuya 83%. Central and Southern varieties of Buuya 93%. Lexical similarity: 62% with Saamia [lsm], 52% with Isukha [ida], 50% with Logooli [rag].
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Many also use Ganda [lug]. Many also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Bukusu [bxk].
Language Development: Orthography guide published but inadequate for dialectal variants. Taught in primary schools. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Texts. Bible: 2016. Agency: Lumasaaba Language Academy.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Masaaba
Writing: Latin script [Latn], used since 1977.
Other Comments: Ludadiri is the main Northern variety; Lubuuya is the main Central or Southern variety. Christian.

Location: Bududa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Mbale, and Sironko districts; Mount Elgon area.