Alternate Names: Kimanteney, Western Agaw
Dialects: Achpar, Dembiya (Dambya, Dembya), Hwarasa (“Kara” (pej.), Qwara, Qwarina), Kayla, Kwolasa (Kwolacha), Qimant (Chemant, Kamant, Kemanat, Kemant, Kimant, Qemant), Semyen. Distinct from Awngi ,, Bilen ,, and Xamtanga ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 1,650 (1994 census). Ethnic population: 172,000 (1994 census). L2 users: 3,180.
Language Use: Qwara dialect has no remaining speakers. 170,747 ethnic Western Agaw are monolingual in Amharic [amh]. Ge’ez [gez] is liturgical language. A few Hebrew [heb] words used in prayer. Also use Amharic [amh].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 15%. Bible portions: 1885.
Typology: SOV.
Nation of Origin: Ethiopia
Other Comments: Ethnonym: Falashi (Kayla or Qwara people), meaning Black Jews. 2,321 Falashas in Ethiopia. Most remaining Falasha went to Israel in 1999. No evidence of a distinct Jewish language. Kara is an incorrect spelling. Christian (Qimant), Jewish (Kayla).