RUNDI: a language of Burundi

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It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005).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: RUD

ISO 639-1: rn

ISO 639-2: run

Population	4,600,000 in Burundi (1986). Population total all countries 6,000,000 (1999 WA).
Region	Also spoken in Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda.
Alternate names	KIRUNDI, URUNDI
Classification	Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Rwanda-Rundi (J.60).
Comments	Dialects of the Hutu and Tutsi are similar. Twa is more different but all are inherently intelligible, and also intelligible with Kinyarwanda (Rwanda). Some speakers use Swahili as a lingua franca. Hima is an ethnic group speaking Rundi or Rwanda. Ethnic groups: Hutu 80% to 85%, Tutsi 14% to 15%, Twa (Gesera, pygmy) 1% (30,000; 1972 Barrett). National language. Literacy rate in first language: 55%. Christian, traditional religion, Muslim; Twa: traditional religion, Christian. Bible 1967.

Also spoken in:

Tanzania

Language name	RUNDI
Population	150,000 refugees in Tanzania (1993 Johnstone).
Comments	Bible 1967. See main entry under Burundi.

Uganda

Language name	RUNDI
Population	100,903 in Uganda (1991 census), 2% of the population (1972 Ladefoged et al.)
Comments	Bible 1967. See main entry under Burundi.