Saamia

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A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
lsm
Alternate Names
Bagwe, Bassamia, Saamia
Population

335,000 in Uganda (2002 census), increasing. 280,000 Basaamia and 75,300 Bagwe (2002 census). Population total all countries: 460,000.

Location

East, Busia, Tororo districts near Kenya border; Lake Victoria is southern boundary. Also in Kenya (Olusamia).

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Masaba-Luyia (E.34)
Dialects

Gwe (Lugwe), Saamia (Samia), Songa. Lexical similarity: 88% with Oluwanga [lwg], 80% with Olunyole [nyd], 62% with Masaba [myx] (Uganda), 59%–61% with Ganda [lug] (Uganda), 52% with Luidakho-Luisukha-Lutirichi [ida], 51% with Gwere [gwr] (Uganda).

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, religion, work. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development
Mother-tongue literacy not often taught in schools due to lack of materials in Lusaamia-Lugwe. Functional Adult Literacy was in progress but has come to a halt. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. NT: 2011.
Writing
Latin script, used since 1904.
Other Comments

Part of Luyia macrolanguage. Christian, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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