Hewa

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
ham
Alternate Names
Sisimin
Population

2,150 (1986 SIL). 290 in Yoliapi (1982 SIL). 1,600 monolinguals.

Location

Southern Highlands Province, Koroba district; Enga Province, Lagaip district; Sandaun Province, Telefomin district; Lagaip river area, mountains north of Duna [duc] and Ipili [ipi] language areas; south of Lagaip river northward to Central range high peaks (political and physical boundary between Sepik region and the highlands).

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Sepik, Sepik Hill, Sanio
Dialects

Central Lagaip, Lower Lagaip, North Hewa, Upper Lagaip.

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Vigorous. Use of Hewa is the norm. All domains. All ages. Also use Duna [duc], English [eng], Ipili [ipi], Oksapmin [opm], Tok Pisin [tpi].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 2%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%. 25 or fewer can read it, 10 or fewer can write it. Bible portions: 1985.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Hewa
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Seminomadic. Traditional religion, Christian.