Awngi

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
awn
Alternate Names
Agau, Agaw, Agew, Agow, Awawar, Awi, Awiya, Damot, Kumfel, “Kunfäl” (pej.), Kunfel, Kwollanyoch
Population

489,000 (2007 census), increasing. 323,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,000,000. L2 users: 64,400 (1994 census).

Location

Amara State, Awi zone, southwest of Lake Tana, scattered in Agew Midir and Metekel; also Binshangul Gumuz State, Metekel zone.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, Central, Southern
Dialects

Dega, Kunfäl (Northern Awngi), Kwolla.

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

All domains. All ages. Neutral attitudes. Bilingual speakers (Amharic [amh]) mostly in towns. Countryside population has very limited knowledge of Amharic. For Northern Awngi (Kunfäl), only male population has knowledge of Amharic.

Language Development
Taught in primary schools in Awi Zone only. New media. Radio programs. Bible portions: 2009.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Awngi
Writing

Ethiopic script [Ethi], used since 1995.