Okiek

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A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3
oki
Alternate Names
Akie, Akiek, Kinare, “Ndorobo” (pej.), Ogiek
Population

79,000 in Kenya (2009 census). Ethnic population: 20,000.

Location

Rift Valley Province, Nakuru district, east Mau escarpment. Sogoo dialect in Mau forest south between Amala and Ewas Ng’iro rivers near Nosogami stream. Also in Tanzania.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Southern, Kalenjin, Okiek
Dialects

Okiek, Sogoo (Sokoo), Suiei.

Language Use

Some languages associated with Okiek have few remaining speakers. Akiek in northern Tanzania now speak Maasai [mas]. Those of Kinare in Kenya now speak Gikuyu [kik]. Those in Tanzania and Kenya are not in contact with each other. Sogoo dialect may be extinct. Home, social gatherings.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Okiek
Other Comments

“Ndorobo” is a pejorative term for several hunter or forest groups that are not linguistically related (El Molo, Yaaku, Okiek, Omotik, Aasáx). Christian.

Also spoken in:

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