Xamtanga

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
xan
Alternate Names
Agawinya, Khamtanga, Simt’anga, Xamir, Xamta
Population

213,000 (2007 census). 93,900 monolinguals.

Location

North Amhara Region, Avergele district, Lasta and Waag zones, 100 km north of Weldiya.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, Central, Eastern
Dialects

Low inherent intelligibility of Qimant [ahg]. Lexical similarity: 45% with Qimant [ahg].

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Most Xamir speak Xamtanga. Xamtanga speakers association in Weldiya. 11,026 L2 speakers. Positive attitudes. Also use Amharic [amh].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 7%. Used in education.
Writing
Ethiopic script, used since 1996.
Other Comments

Surrounded by Amharic [amh] and Tigrigna [tir] speakers. Different from Awngi [awn]. Glossonym: Agaw. Ethnonym: Xamir. Christian.