Kwaya

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
kya
Alternate Names
Kikwaya
Population

115,000 (2005 SIL). Ethnic population: 70,000 Kwaya and 45,000 Ruri.

Location

Mara Region, Musoma Rural district, Nyanja division, and Musoma Urban district.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Haya-Jita (E.251)
Dialects

Ruri (Ciruri, Eciruri, Eciruuri, Kirori, Kiruri, Kishyola, Luri, Rori). Lexical similarity: 89% with Ruri dialect; 83% with Jita [jit], 80% with Kara [reg].

Typology

SVO; 5-vowel system contrasted long and short vowels, H-L Lexical tone on verbs and nouns, H-L grammatical tone

Language Use

People moving to the area learn Kwaya. Most domains. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Bible portions: 2009–2012.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kwaya
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.