Bamu
PrintPrimary tabs
A language of Papua New Guinea
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Bamu Kiwai, Kiwai
Population
6,310 (2000 census). 960 Gama.
Location
Gulf province: Turama river mouth south bank; Western province: Bamu river from mouth to confluence of Wawoi and Guavi rivers, lower Wawoi, Guavi and Gama rivers, Sagero creek to its mouth at Fly river.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Dialects
Gama, Lower Bamu, Sisiame, Upper Bamu (Middle Bamu), Nuhiro. Gama dialect may be a separate language. Closely related to Kiwai; less closely to Waboda [kmx]. Lexical similarity: less than 80% with Gama and Lower Bamu, the most similar other Bamu dialect.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%. Taught in primary schools. No. Dictionary. Texts. Bible portions: 1952–2007.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].