Kango

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
kzy
Alternate Names
“Dibatchua” (pej.), Dikango, Kango Pygmy, “Kibatchua” (pej.), Kikango, Likango
Population

2,000 (1998 T. Harvey).

Location

Orientale Province, Tshopo district, Bafwasende territory, Bakundumu and Bemili collectivités, among the Bali [bcp]. The smaller dialect has 7 villages just south of where Nepoki and Ituri river confluence becomes Aruwimi river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Bira-Huku (D.211)
Dialects

2 dialects. Related to Komo [kmw] and Bali [bcp]. Lexical similarity: 78% with Komo [kmw], 72% with Bila [bip], 60% with Bali [bcp], 50% with Lika [lik].

Typology

5 vowels

Language Use

Also use Bali [bcp]. Bangala [bxg] is preferred in the north; Congo Swahili [swc] in the south.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 1%.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kango
Other Comments

The language is evidently a combination of Komo and Bali, with some borrowings from the Bila-based pygmy language. Different from the riverine Kango [kty] to the north, who are fishermen. Those who attend school complete Standard 1 or 2 classes. Traditional religion, Christian.