Bwa

Print

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
bww
Alternate Names
Boa, Boua, Bua, Kibua, Kibwa, Libenge, Libua, Libwali
Population

200,000 (1994 SIL).

Location

Orientale Province, Buta, Bambesa, Banalia, Aketi, and Bondo territories. Buta is center. Kiba is in Banalia territory; Benge and Bati in Aketi and Bondo territories.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, C, Ngombe (C.43)
Dialects

Bati (Baati), Benge, Kiba, Leboa-Le, Yewu. Lexical similarity: 90% with Benge and Bati dialects, 80%–85% with Pagibete [pae], 60%–80% with Kango [kty], 60%–65% with Ngelima [agh], 55%–60% with Lika [lik], 48% with Komo [kmw], 43% with Bali [bcp], 37% with Ngombe [ngc], 35% with Budza [bja], 30% with Lingala [lin].

Typology

Some noun classes have suffixes in addition to the usual prefixes

Language Development
Bible portions: 1938.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bwa
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Buta and Bambesa territories have similar dialects. Clan names: Bangingita, Bagunzulu, Bokipa. Different from Bua [bub] of Chad.