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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Uganda > Konzo

Konzo

A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3: koo

Population  609,000 in Uganda (2002 census).
Region  Southwest, Ruwenzori Mountains. Also in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Language map  Uganda, reference number 15
Alternate names   Konjo, Lhukonzo, Olukonjo, Olukonzo, Rukonjo
Dialects  Sanza (Ekisanza), Rukonzo (Rukonjo). Nande [nnb] (Kinande) in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Konzo (Lukonzo) in Uganda are 2 varieties of the same language. Nande is influenced by French and Swahili [swh]; Konzo by Luganda, Tooro [ttj], and English. Olhughendera is spoken in Bundibuygo District, and Lusongora is spoken in Basogangora. Lexical similarity: 77% with Nande.
Classification  Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Konzo (J.40)
Language development  Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1914.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  Konzo (Bakonzo) in Uganda and the Nande (Banande) in Democratic Republic of the Congo both feel very much one people, collectively called ‘Bayira’. They believe they originated from the Rwenzori Mountains–the mountains belong to them and they to the mountains. This plays a very important role in their traditions and identity. Agriculturalists: yams, beans, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soy beans, potatoes, rice, wheat, cassava, coffee, bananas, cotton; animal husbandry: goats, sheep, poultry. They are known for their ability to farm very steep slopes. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Language name   Konzo
Region  West slope Ruwenzori Mountains.
Alternate names  Konjo
Dialects  Sanza (Ekisanza).
Comments  Agriculturalists: yams, beans, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soy beans, potatoes, rice, wheat, cassava, coffee, bananas, cotton; animal husbandry: goats, sheep, poultry. Traditional religion, Christian.