Sena

SEH

developing

Alternate Names: Chisena, Cisena

Dialects: Bangwe (South Sena), Caia (Care, North Sena, Sare), Gombe, Gorongosa, Podzo (Chipodzo, Cipodzo, Phodzo, Puthsu, Shiputhsu), Rue (Chirue), Sangwe. Reportedly similar to Nyungwe ,, Nyanja ,, Phimbi ,, and Kunda , of Zambia. Sena Central is the prestige dialect. Lexical similarity: 92% between the Podzo and Sena-Sare dialects.

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Benue-Congo
Bantoid
Southern
Narrow Bantu
Central
N
Senga-Sena (N.44)

Demographics: 1,340,000 (2006). 86,000 Podzo in Mozambique (Johnstone 1993).

Language Use: Nyanja [nya] is also used in Tâte. Limited comprehension of Ndau [ndc] in Beira region. Ndau is church language in Beira; used in communicating with Ndau speakers. Portuguese [por] is used with other non-Sena speakers. Shona [sna] is also used in Tâte.

Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1983.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Mozambique

Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.