Gbe, Xwela

XWE

vigorous

Alternate Names: Houeda, Peda, Phera, Xwela, Xwela-Gba

Dialects: None known. Lexical similarity: 90% with Western Xwla ,, 85% with Fon ,, 71% with Gen ,, 82% with Saxwe ,, 68% with Aja ,.

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Kwa
Left Bank
Gbe

Demographics: 65,000 (2002 SIL).

Language Use: All ages. Also use Fon [fon], French [fra], Gen [gej], Saxwe Gbe [sxw]. Second languages used in non-formal education, government offices, churches. Gen [gej] and Saxwe Gbe [sxw] are used for adult literacy in some villages. French is used in schools.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Benin

Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.