Kigiryama

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
nyf
Alternate Names
Agiryama, Giriama, Kigiriama, Kinyika, Nika, Nyika
Population

944,000 (2009 census), increasing. 752,000 Giryama; 25,400 Kambe; 98,700 Rabai; 14,500 Ribe; 52,900 Kauma.

Location

Coast Province, Kilifi and Kwale districts, north of Mombasa.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Nyika (E.72)
Dialects

Chwaka, Giryama, Kambe, Kauma (Chikauma), Rabai, Ribe (Rihe). Dialect speakers may understand Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma [coh]. Lexical similarity: 72% with Chidigo [dig], 63% with Mrima [swh], 62% with Mvita [swh], 61% with Amu [swh], 59% with Kipfokomo [pkb] and Bajun [swh].

Language Use

Home, community. All ages. Positive attitudes. Most also use Kiswahili [swh]. School children learn English [eng].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Poetry. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Bible: 1901.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kigiryama
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Giryama is the people name and largest group of the Mijikenda community, which is formed by 9 ethnic groups. Strong traditional social system. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.