Alternate Names: Ekibena, Ikibena, Kibena
Dialects: Ilembula, Kilavungi (Kilavagi), Lupembe, Masakati (Masagati), Masitu, Maswamu, Mavemba, Ngaveeta, Nyikolwe, Sovi, Twangabita. Lexical similarity: 71% with Pangwa ,, 65% with Hehe ,, 55% with Sangu ,, 53% with Kinga ,, 51% with Vwanji ,, 47% with Kisi ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 670,000 (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).
Language Use: Private domains, market, traditional rituals. All ages. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Low. Swahili to Bena transitional literacy work begun (SIL). Some older Bena can read and write their language as used in early 1900’s. Radio programs. NT: 1914–2012.
Typology: SVO; prepositions; noun classes; 22 consonant phonemes; verbal affixation; 10 vowel phonemes (5 qualities, each with phonemic length contrast); tonal.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Tanzania
Other Comments: Christian (Protestant).