Luba-Kasai
PrintA language of Democratic Republic of the Congo
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Luba-Lulua, Luva, Tshiluba, Western Luba
Population
6,300,000 (1991 UBS).
Location
Widespread in Kasaï-Occidental and Kasaï-Oriental provinces.
Language Maps
Language Status
2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Kasai Region (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)).
Classification
Dialects
Significant dialect differences between East Kasai region (Baluba people) and West Kasai region (Bena Lulua people). Similar to Hemba [hem].
Language Use
700,000 L2 speakers.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Over 60% among Christians. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1927–1996.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script.
Christian.