Alternate Names: Kisukuma
Dialects: Gwe (Kemunangweeli, Kigwe), Kemunadakama, Kiya (Kiiya), Nasa, Nelaa, Ntuzu, SumaaBu. Dialects contiguous with Nyamwezi and mutually intelligible along the border of the two people groups. Lexical similarity: 84% with Nyamwezi ,, 59% with Sumbwa , and Nyaturu ,, 57% with Kimbu ,, 55% with Nilamba ,, 49% with Langi ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 5,430,000 (2006), increasing.
Language Use: Vigorous. Known for vigorous use of L1. All ages. Very positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Zinza [zin].
Language Development: Some literacy work. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1960.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Tanzania
Other Comments: Christian, traditional religion.