Mbula

Print

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
mna
Alternate Names
Kaimanga, Mangaaba, Mangaava, Mangaawa, Mangap, Mangap-Mbula
Population

4,500 (2007 SIL), increasing. 10% monolingual. Ethnic population: 4,500.

Location

Morobe Province, Siassi district, east Umboi island, 6 villages; Sakar island, 1 village.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Ngero-Vitiaz, Vitiaz, Mangap-Mbula
Dialects

Gauru, Mbula (Central Mbula), Northern Mbula, Sakar.

Typology

SVO; prepositions

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, church. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 60%. Literacy is increasing. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1997.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mbula
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.