Gbe, Xwela

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A language of Benin

ISO 639-3
xwe
Alternate Names
Houeda, Peda, Phera, Xwela, Xwela-Gba
Population

65,000 (2002 SIL).

Location

Mono Department, Comé commune near Lake Aheme, southernmost Bopa commune. Atlantic Department, Kpomassè and Ouidah communes.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe
Dialects

Lexical similarity: 90% with Western Xwla [xwl], 85% with Fon [fon], 71% with Gen [gej], 82% with Saxwe [sxw], 68% with Aja [ajg].

Language Use

French [fra] used in schools; Fon [fon] or Gen [gej] used in government offices; Gen and some Fon and French used in churches. Good comprehension of Fon and Gen. Fon, Gen, and Saxwe Gbe [sxw] materials used for adult literacy in some villages.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Gbe, Xwela
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.