Ethnologue 14 report for language code:MET

MAASAI: a language of Kenya

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: MET

ISO 639-2: mas

Population

453,000 in Kenya (1994 I. Larsen BTL), 1.5% of the population. Population total both countries 883,000.

Region

Kajiado and Narok districts, Rift Valley Province. Also spoken in Tanzania.

Alternate names

MASAI

Dialects

KAPUTIEI, KEEKONYOKIE, MATAPO, LAITOKITOK, ILOODOKILANI, DAMAT, PURKO, LOITAI, SIRIA, MOITANIK (WUASINKISHU), KORE, ARUSA (ARUSHA), BARAGUYU, KISONKO.

Classification

Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Lotuxo-Maa, Ongamo-Maa.

Comments

Purko is the largest dialect in Kenya and centrally located. The last three dialects listed are in Tanzania. Kwavi may be a dialect. Purko has 91% to 96% lexical similarity with other Kenya dialects, 82% with Baraguyu, 86% with Arusha in Tanzania, 77% to 89% with Samburu, 82% to 89% with Chamus, 60% with Ngasa (Ongamo). The Kore now speak Somali as first language. Semi-nomadic. VSO. Literacy rate in first language: Below 1%. Literacy rate in second language: 18%. Pastoralists: cattle, goats; agriculturalists. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible 1991.

Also spoken in:

Tanzania

Language name	MAASAI
Population	430,000 in Tanzania (1993) including 170,000 Arusa, 30,000 Baraguyu (1987).
Alternate names	MASAI, MAA, LUMBWA
Dialects	ENGUTUK-ELOIKOB, ARUSHA (IL-ARUSHA, L-ARUSHA), BARAGUYU, KISONKO.
Comments	Arusha is distinct from the Bantu Chagga-related variety. One source reports that Arusha who are pastoralists dress like the Maasai and speak a Maasai-related variety, whereas those who are agriculturalists intermarry with the Chagga. Other sources say the Arusha originally spoke a Bantu language. The last 3 dialects listed are in Tanzania, and have 82% to 86% lexical similarity with Kenya dialects. Bilingualism in Swahili. The Baraguyu speak Maasai, but they consider themselves to be a separate ethnic group from the Maasai. Nomadic. Patrilineal. Some men marry women from other language groups. Pastoralists: cattle, sheep, goats; agriculturalists (Baraguyu, Il-Arusha, Il-Lumpua (Lumbwa), Il-Oikop, Wakuavi). Traditional religion, Christian; Arusha: traditional religion, Christian. Bible 1991. See main entry under Kenya.