Alternate Names: Agiryama, Giriama, Giryama, Kigiriama, Kinyika, Nika, Nyika
Dialects: Chwaka, Kambe, Kauma (Chikauma), Rabai, Ribe (Rihe). Dialect speakers may understand Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma ,. Lexical similarity: 72% with Chidigo ,, 63% with Mrima ,, 62% with Mvita ,, 61% with Amu ,, 59% with Kipfokomo , and Bajun ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 944,000 (2009 census), increasing. 752,000 Giryama; 25,400 Kambe; 98,700 Rabai; 14,500 Ribe; 52,900 Kauma.
Language Use: Home, community. All ages. Positive attitudes. School children learn English [eng]. Also use Swahili [swh].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Poetry. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Bible: 1901.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Kenya
Other Comments: Giryama is the people name and largest group of the Mijikenda community, which is formed by 9 ethnic groups. Strong traditional social system. Traditional religion, Christian.