Ethnologue.com home

Ethnologue: Languages of the World
16th edition

Ethnologue: Languages of the World
US$ 100.00
Add to cart

Preview print edition

Most Recent
SIL Publications
Reduced Price SIL Publications


ABOUT SSL CERTIFICATES
Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Tanzania > Kuria

Kuria

A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3: kuj

Population  430,000 in Tanzania (2005 SIL). Population total all countries: 604,000.
Region  Mara region, Tarime and Musoma Rural districts, near Kenya border. Some in north Serengeti. Also in Kenya.
Language map  Tanzania, reference number 14
Alternate names   Igikuria, Ikikuria, Kikuria, Kikuria cha juu, Kikuria cha Mashariki, Kurya, Kurye, Tende
Dialects  Kiroba, Simbiti, Sweta. About 15–20 clans in Tanzania, each with their own slightly different dialect. Clans consider themselves to speak the Kuria language rather than the language of their clan.
Classification  Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kuria (E.10)
Language use  Vigorous.
Language development  NT: 1996.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  Koria is not a good spelling.

Also spoken in:

Kenya

Language name   Kuria
Population  174,000 in Kenya (2006), increasing.
Region  The first 4 dialects are in Nyanza Province, Kuria District. Last 3 dialects in Tanzania.
Language map  Kenya, reference number 24
Alternate names  Ekiguria, Igikuria, Kikuria, Kurya, Tende
Dialects  Nyabasi, Bugumbe, Bukira, Bwirege, Kiroba, Simbiti, Sweta.
Language use  GIDS 6. Home, community. All ages. Positive attitude. Also use Kiswahili [swh], English, or Ekigusii [guz].
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: Below 15%. Literacy rate in L2: 70%. Taught in primary schools.
Comments  ‘Koria’ is not considered proper spelling. Christian, traditional religion.
 

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

SIM, Ronald J., author. 1979. Proposals concerning the Kuria alphabet.