Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma

COH

vigorous

Alternate Names: Chonyi, Conyi, Kichonyi

Dialects: Chonyi (Chichonyi, Kichonyi), Jibana (Chidzihana). May understand Kigiryama ,. Kauma (Chikauma) now considered to be a dialect of Kigiryama (2012 M. Wekunda).

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Benue-Congo
Bantoid
Southern
Narrow Bantu
Central
E
Nyika-Taita (E.72)

Demographics: 184,000 (2009 census), increasing. Chonyi 149,000, Jibana 35,200.

Language Use: Home, community. All ages. Positive attitudes. Most also use Kiswahili [swh] or other Mijikenda varieties.

Nation of Origin: Kenya

Other Comments: 9 ethnic groups form the Mijikenda community. Christian, Muslim.