Mende

MEN

wider communication

Alternate Names: Boumpe, Hulo, Kossa, Kosso

Dialects: Ko, Kpa, Sewawa, Waanjama. Lexical similarity: 92%–98% among dialects.

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Mande
Western
Central-Southwestern
Southwestern
Mende-Loma
Mende-Bandi
Mende-Loko

Demographics: 1,480,000 in Sierra Leone (2006). Population total all countries: 1,499,700.

Language Use: Also use Krio [kri]. Used as L2 by Bom [bmf], Krim [krm], Northern Kissi [kqs].

Language Development: Taught as an elective from primary to college levels. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1959.

Writing System: Latin, Mende Kikakui

Nation of Origin: Sierra Leone

Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.