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Daasanach

A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3: dsh

Population	32,100 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 31,368 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 40,100. Ethnic population: 32,099 (1994 census).
Region	Lower Omo River, along Lake Turkana, into Kenya. Also in Kenya.
Language map	Southwestern Ethiopia, reference number 22
Alternate names	Daasanech, Dama, Dasenech, Dathanaic, Dathanaik, Dathanik, Gallab, Galuba, Gelab, Geleb, Geleba, Gelebinya, Gelubba, Gheleba, Marille, Merile, Merille, Morille, Reshiat, Russian Federation, “Shangilla”
Classification	Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Western Omo-Tana
Language use	231 L2 speakers.
Language development	Literacy rate in L2: 1.7%. Bible portions: 1997–2000.
Writing system	Latin script.
Comments	‘Reshiat’ (Russian Federation) is ethnic group name. SOV. Pastoralists; agriculturalists: sorghum. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Kenya

Language name	Daasanach
Population	8,000 in Kenya (1999 census), increasing. Over 50% monolingual. Population varies as people freely cross the border with Ethiopia.
Region	Eastern Province, Marsabit District, Lake Turkana northeast shore, Illeret area.
Language map	Kenya, reference number 7
Alternate names	Daasanech, Dama, Dasenech, Dathanaik, Geleb, Geleba, Gheleba, Marille, Reshiat, “Shangilla”
Language use	GIDS 6. Home, social gatherings without outsiders. Positive attitude. Very few also use Kiswahili [swh].
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. The first primary class completed national exams in 2007.
Comments	8 ethnic groups: Inkabelo (7,000), Inkoria (2,000), Naritch (Naarich 1,800), Elele (1,500), Randal (1,000), Oro (800), Koro (500), Riele (400). Animal husbandry: cattle; agriculturalists: millet, tobacco; fishermen. Traditional religion, Christian.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

ARENSEN, Jonathan E., author. 1983. Sticks and Straw: Comparative House Forms in Southern Sudan and Northern Kenya.  

Vernacular Publications

Af ʼDaasanach kí túóy onot (Let’s learn to read ʼDaasanach). 1999.

Hé kúnnaa ʼdedew-, ke ekemeyoká hé ma ereminy. 2000.

Mór ninniká hai guudandha. 2000.

Tujifunze kusoma na kuandika KiʼDaasanach afʼDaasanach veeritle kí onot. 1995.