Amba | Ethnologue

A language of Uganda

ISO 639: rwm
Alternate Names: Baamba, Bulebule, Hamba, Humu, Kihumu, Ku-Amba, Kuamba, Lubulebule, Lwamba, Ruwenzori Kibira, Rwamba
Autonym: Kwamba
Population: 42,600 in Uganda (2014 census), decreasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 47,100.
Location:: Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts: Ruwenzori mountains, Democratic Republic of the Congo border area south of Lake Albert.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Lega-Holoholo (D.22)
Dialects: Kyanzi (Kihyanzi), Suwa (Kusuwa). Lexical similarity: 70% with Bira [brf], 57%–59% with Kaeku [kkq], Komo [kmw], and Bhele [bhy], 25% with Nande [nnb], 34% with Talinga-Bwisi [tlj].
Typology: 7 vowels, 24 consonants; tonal.
Language Use: Due to intermarriage, most Amba children grow up speaking Lubwisi [tlj]. Home. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. All also use Talinga-Bwisi [tlj]. All also use Tooro [ttj]. Many also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Mvuba [mxh].
Language Development: Literacy campaign in progress. Radio. Texts. Bible portions: 2004–2014.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Amba
Writing: Latin script [Latn], used since 2009, in development.
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Location: Nord-Kivu province: Uganda border area south of Lake Albert, northern Ruwenzori foothills.
Dialects: Kigumu (Hamba, Kuamba, Lubulebule), Kihyanzi, Kusuwa.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)

Location: Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts: Ruwenzori mountains, Democratic Republic of the Congo border area south of Lake Albert.