Rwanda

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A language of Rwanda

ISO 639-3
kin
Alternate Names
Ikinyarwanda, Kinyarwanda, Orunyarwanda, Ruanda, Rwandan, Urunyaruanda
Population

6,490,000 in Rwanda (1998). Population total all countries: 7,189,900.

Location

Also in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda (Fumbira).

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2003, Constitution, Article 5).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Rwanda-Rundi (D.61)
Dialects

Bufumbwa, Gitwa, Hutu (Hera, Lera, Ndara, Ndogo, Shobyo, Tshogo, Ululera), Igikiga (Igishiru, Ikigoyi, Kiga, Tshiga), Ikinyanduga, Rutwa (Twa). Intelligible of Rundi [run].

Typology

SVO

Language Development
Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1954–1993.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Rwanda
Writing
Braille script. Latin script, primary usage.
Other Comments

Ethnic groups: Hutu 89%, Tutsi 10%, Twa (pygmies), 30,000 1% (Barrett 1982). Possibly 75% of the Batwa killed in 1994 war. Hima is an ethnic group (not a language) which speaks Rwanda or Rundi [run]. Christian, traditional religion, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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