Kanum, Sota

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Enkelembu, Kenume, Knwne

Population

100 (1996 M. Donohue).

Location

Papua Province, Sota village. Southernmost point of province, east northeast of Merauke city; bordering Papua New Guinea.

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification

Dialects

Kanum varieties are separate languages, with difficult mutual intelligibility. Similar to Yei [jei]. Also classified as Australian, Pama-Nyungan.

Language Use

Home, hunting camps. All ages. Also use Morori [mok] or Indonesian [ind] as trade languages, Indonesian for official purposes.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 5%.

Language Resources

Other Comments

One ethnic group with Kanum varieties. Clan marriages common, and much ritual exchange. Christian.