Kiembu
A language of Kenya
| Population | 429,000 (1994 I. Larsen), increasing. 150,000 in Embu, 61,725 in Mbeere (Heine and Möhlig 1980). |
| Region | Eastern Province, Embu District. |
| Language map |
Kenya, reference number 16 |
| Alternate names | Embu |
| Dialects | Mbeere (Mbere, Kimbeere), Embu. The Mbeere dialect is reported to have intelligibility with Embu. Population estimate may include Chuka [cuh] and Mwimbi-Muthambi [mws]. Lexical similarity: 85% with the Mbeere dialect, 73% with Gikuyu [kik] and Chuka, 66% with Kamba [kam], 63%–65% with Meru [mer]. |
| Classification | Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kikuyu-Kamba (E.20) |
| Language use | Vibrant. GIDS 6. Home, community. All ages. Positive attitude. Some also use Gikuyu because of previous teaching in the schools, but limited in rural areas. Up to 70% have low proficiency in Kiswahili [swh]. Comprehension of Kimîîru [mer] is limited. |
| Language development | Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. |
| Comments | ‘Embo’ is an incorrect spelling. There are government literacy materials in Embu. Embu is the place and tribal name. Embu: Christian, traditional religion. Mbeere: traditional religion, Christian. |
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