Sena

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A language of Mozambique

ISO 639-3
seh
Alternate Names
Chisena, Cisena
Population

1,340,000 (2006). 86,000 Podzo in Mozambique (Johnstone 1993).

Location

Sofala, Manica, Tete, and Zambezia provinces: lower Zambezi river region.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.44)
Dialects

Bangwe (South Sena), Caia (Care, North Sena, Sare), Gombe, Gorongosa, Podzo (Chipodzo, Cipodzo, Phodzo, Puthsu, Shiputhsu), Rue (Chirue), Sangwe. Reportedly similar to Nyungwe [nyu], Nyanja [nya], Phimbi [phm], and Kunda [kdn] of Zambia. Sena Central is the prestige dialect. Lexical similarity: 92% between the Podzo and Sena-Sare dialects.

Language Use

Nyanja [nya] is also used in Tâte. Limited comprehension of Ndau [ndc] in Beira region. Ndau is church language in Beira; used in communicating with Ndau speakers. Portuguese [por] is used with other non-Sena speakers. Shona [sna] is also used in Tâte.

Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1983.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Sena
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.