Makwe

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A language of Mozambique

ISO 639-3
ymk
Alternate Names
Kimakwe, Macue, Palma
Population

22,000 in Mozambique (2003). Population total all countries: 32,000.

Location

Cabo Delgado province: coast, Tanzania border south to Quionga, Palma, south of Olumbe; on Ruvuma river to Pundanhar.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.402)
Dialects

Coastal Makwe (Palma), Interior Makwe. Not inherently intelligible with Swahili [swh]. Lexical similarity: 60% with Swahili [swh], 57% with Mwani [wmw], 48% with Yao [yao].

Language Use

Most Palma men also use Mwani [wmw]. Those with schooling can read Portuguese [por]. Men also use Swahili [swh]. Those with schooling can read Swahili. Also use Makonde [kde].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 20%. Motivation for literacy is high. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Makwe
Other Comments

Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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