Page Type: languageKhwedam | Ethnologue

XUU ISO 639-3

Khwedam

Khwedam Autonym

A language of Namibia

ISO 639
xuu
Alternate Names
Khoe, Khwe, Khwe-||Ani, Kxoe, Kxoedam, Xun, “Barakwena” (pej.), “Barakwengo” (pej.), “Mbarakwena” (pej.), “Water Bushmen” (pej.)
Autonym
Khwedam
Population
4,000 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b). Total users in all countries: 7,300.
Location:
Kavango East and Zambezi regions: between Okavango and Zambezi rivers.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northwest
Dialects
||Xo-Kxoe, ||Xom-Kxoe, Buma-Kxoe, Buga-Kxoe, ||Ani (||Anikhwe). Minor dialect differences within Khwe. Related to ||Ani [hnh], Naro [nhr], and Khoekhoe [naq] but is quite distinct from each of these and not mutually intelligible.
Language Use
Vigorous. Many non-Khwe learn Khwe for interaction with Khwe. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Afrikaans [afr]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Pidgin Bantu [fng]. Also use Setswana [tsn].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%–20%. Literacy rate in L2: 10%–20%. Radio. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2010.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Khwedam
Writing
Latin script [Latn], developed in 2006.
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Khwedam
User Population
200 in Angola (Brenzinger 2013b).
Location
Kuando Kubango province: Huthembo, northeast of Likuwa; Lukanga, west of Rivungu.
Dialects
Buma-Kxoe.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
Other Comments
Traditional religion.
View other languages of Angola
Language Name
Khwedam
User Population
1,700 in Botswana (Brenzinger 2013b). Children and elderly are monolingual.
Location
North West district: ǀAo-Kyao, Beyetca, Cadikarauwe, Cauwe, Djaxo, Dungu, Gan, Geixa, Gudigoa, Kangwara, Kaputura, Mohembo, Moxatce, Ngarange, ǁQom-ca, Sekanduko, Seronga, Shakawe, Sicokora, Sikondomboro, Tobere, ‡Umbexa, and Xongoa.
Dialects
Buga-Kxoe (Boga, Buga-Khwe, Bukakhwe, Gani-Khwe, “River Bushman” (pej.), Tannekwe, ǁAni-Khoe, ǁAnikxoe).
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.
View other languages of Botswana
Language Name
Khwedam
User Population
1,200 in South Africa (Brenzinger 2013b).
Location
Northern Cape province: Platfontein and Smithsdrift.
Dialects
ǁAni, Kxoedam.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Refugees from Caprivi, Namibia, since 1991 living in tents.
View other languages of South Africa
Language Name
Khwedam
User Population
200 in Zambia (Brenzinger 2013b).
Location
Western province: Shangombo district, Kashesha ki liwanika, Namafumbwana, and Sanze.
Dialects
||Xo-Kxoe.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Zambia

Map

Location: Kavango East and Zambezi regions: between Okavango and Zambezi rivers.