Kamba

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
kam
Alternate Names
Kekamba, Kikamba
Population

3,893,000 (2009 census), increasing.

Location

South central, Eastern Province, Machakos and Kitui districts; Coast Province, Kwale district.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kikuyu-Kamba (E.55)
Dialects

Masaku, Mumoni, North Kitui, South Kitui. Lexical similarity: 67% with Gikuyu [kik], 66% with Embu [ebu], 63% with Chuka [cuh], 57%–59% with Kimîîru [mer].

Language Use

Home, community. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Kiswahili [swh] or English [eng].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: More than 10% (2007 BTL). Literacy rate in L2: 25%–60% (2007 BTL). Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Films. Videos. Bible: 1956.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kamba
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Ethnic autonym: Akamba; the place: Ukambani. Christian, traditional religion, Muslim.