Buru

Dialects: Central Buru (Rana, Wae Geren, Wae Kabo), Fogi (Li Emteban, Tomahu), Masarete (South Buru), Wae Sama (Waesama). Li Garan is a special taboo dialect spoken by the Rana people (3,000 to 5,000 users). Ethnic population Fogi dialect: 500, but no remaining speakers. Lexical similarity: 90% between Masarete and Wae Sama dialects, 88% between Masarete and Rana, 80% between Wae Sama and Rana, 68% between Lisela , and Masarete, 48% between Leliali dialect of Kayeli , and Masarete, 45% between Kayeli , and Masarete, 44% between Ambelau , and Masarete, 27%–33% between Buru dialects and Sula ,.

Demographics: 33,000 in Indonesia (1989 SIL). 6,620 Wae Sama, 9,600 Masarete, 14,300 Rana, 500 Fogi, and 2,000 in Ambon.

Language Use: Vigorous in most areas. Fogi dialect speakers apparently shifted to Ambonese Malay [abs]. All domains. All ages. Also use Ambonese Malay [abs], Indonesian [ind].

Language Development: Grammar. Bible portions: 1904–1998.

Typology: SVO; prepositions; genitives before nouns; predominantly head marking; CV, CVC, V, VC; nontonal.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Indonesia

Other Comments: There are word taboos and complex intermarriage patterns on the island. Exogamous. 10 clans. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.