Ikizu

A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Ikiikiizu, Ikikizo, Ikikizu, Kiikizu

Population

55,000 (2005 SIL).

Location

Mara Region, Bunda district, Chamriho division; Musoma district, south of Zanaki; southeast of Lake Victoria, east of Jita [jit] language area.

Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification

Dialects

Ikizu, Kishashi, Kisizaki, Shashi, Sizaki. Related to Zanaki [zak]. Lexical similarity: 95% with Sizaki dialect, 87% with Zanaki [zak].

Typology

7 vowel system

Language Use

Many shifting to Swahili [swh]. Home, field work, local gatherings (L1 is choice when only Ikizu speakers present). All ages.

Language Development

Bible portions: 2009–2012.

Language Resources

Writing

Latin script.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.