Lendu

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
led
Alternate Names
Bale, Balendru, Baletha, Batha, Bbadha, Bbaledha, Hema-Nord, Kihema-Nord, Kilendu
Population

750,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1996 SIL). Population total all countries: 761,100.

Location

Orientale Province, Ituri district, Djugu territory, west and northwest of Lake Albert. Also in Uganda (Ndrulo).

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic, East, Lendu
Dialects

Ddralo (Ddradha), Djadha (Jidha), Njawlo (Njawdha), Pidha, Tadha. Tadha is standard dialect. Djadha is largest and is used for literature. Jidha is the variety of the Bagegere (Northern Hema) who have adopted Lendu.

Language Use

Spoken as L1 by people from 4 ethnic backgrounds: Lendu, Hema-North, Alur, and Okebu. Also use Congo Swahili [swc].

Language Development
NT: 1936–1989.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lendu
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.

Also spoken in:

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