Dawida

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
dav
Alternate Names
Dabida, Davida, Kidabida, Kitaita, Taita, Teita
Population

254,000 (2009 census), increasing.

Location

Coast Province, Taita district, Taita hills.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Nyika (E.74)
Dialects

Bura, Chawia, Kasigau, Mbale, Mbololo, Mwanda, Werugha. Lexical similarity: 62% with Sagalla [tga], 46% with Gweno [gwe], 41%–44% with Chaga languages.

Language Use

Home, social gatherings, religion. All ages. Positive attitudes. Highly bilingual in Kiswahili [swh].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: Kiswahili: 50%–70%. Kiswahili [swh] used as language of instruction. Bible.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dawida
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion, Muslim.