Nande
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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Banande, Bayira, Kinande, Kinandi, Nandi, Ndande, Ndandi, Northern Nande, Orundande
Population
903,000 (1991 UBS).
Location
Nord-Kivu province: mainly Beni and Lubero territories; southeastern Orientale province.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Dialects
Nande, Kumbule (Ekikumbule), Mate (Ekimate), Tangi (Ekitangi), Sanza (Ekisanza), Shu (Ekishu), Ekisongoora (Nyangala, Songola), Swaga (Ekikira, Ekiswaga), Yira (Ekiyira). Lexical similarity: 75% with Konzo [koo]; 65% with Hunde [hke]; 55% with Tembo [tmv] and Shi [shr]; 45% with Nyoro [nyo], Nyanga [nyj], and Lega-Shabunda [lea]; 40% with Talinga-Bwisi [tlj]; 30% with Bhele [bhy]; 25% with Amba [rwm].
Language Use
Used as L2 by Bhele [bhy].
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1980–1996.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
The Konzo (Bakonzo) in Uganda and Nande (Banande) in Democratic Republic of the Congo feel very much one people, the Bayira. They believe they originate from the Ruwenzori Mountains; the mountains belong to them and they to the mountains. This plays a very important role in their traditions and self-image. Christian.