Ikoma
[aka Nata, Ikinata, Ekinata]Classification: Niger-Congo
·vulnerable
Classification: Niger-Congo
·vulnerable
Nata, Ikinata, Ekinata, Egiikɔma |
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Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Benue-Congo, Southern Bantoid |
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ISO 639-3 |
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ntk |
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Information from: “Ikoma Vowel Harmony: Phonetics and Phonology” . Holly Ann Higgins (2011)
"Spoken in several villages bordering the Serengeti National Park. The cultural center of the language is widely considered to be the village of Robanda, but a number of other
villages (e.g. Bwitengi, Park Nyigoti, and Fort Ikoma) are inhabited nearly entirely of Ikoma speakers as well (Smith et al. 2008). Other villages have combinations of Ikoma and Nata speakers, such as Burunga and Nyichoka. Many Ikoma also live in Mugumu, the capital of the Serengeti District."
Information from: “The sociolinguistic impact of Kiswahili on ethnic community languages in Tanzania: a case study of Ekinata” (xiv, 237) . Rugatiri D.K. Mekacha (1993) Bayreuth University
"[Ekinata] is a language spoken by about 50,000 people in Serengeti and Bunda districts of Mara Region in northern Tanzania [...] Many people who live in Motukeri village settlements but are not native speakers of [Ekinata] have varying degrees of proficiency in the language. Generally, while those who are 50 years old or above show active knowledge and better proficiency of the language, those below this age, many of whom were born in this area, have passive knowledge and exhibit poor proficiency of the language."
"There is a general tendency among the youngest members of the family (25 years and below) to speak [Ekinata] predominantly with the older members. To the eldest generation, normally the grandparent generation, with whom they have a relatively relaxed relationship, they sometimes (but not very often) use both languages, especially when speaking about school and plays... But to the parent generation with whom they have a relatively strict relationship they tend to use more [Ekinata] than both languages."
Swahili; English
"Official attention to the functions of [Ethnic Community Languages] in Tanzania is very occasional, and almost always in reference to their being the basis and sources of national cultural heritage [...] a document that proposes a new language policy in Tanzania refers to [Ethnic Community Languages] as no more than "sources of culturla expression, historical information, linguistic forms for Kiswahili enrichment and the basis for folkloric performances" (Batibo 1992: 94) [...] [Ethnic Community Languages in Tanzania enjoy neither official institutional support nor organized private support. [...] The use of [Ekinata] in school is not only officially discouraged but also penalized by scornful remarks from both teachers and peers. [...] The use of [Ekinata and Swahili alternatively] and [Swahili] dominates in such activities and games as playing cards, tombola, football and night discos [...] Negative attitudes towards the use of [Ekinata] in domains in which [Swahili] is the unmarked choice is indicated not only by the fact that it is not acknowledged but also by attracting negative judgement exemplified in three different but related ways. Firstly speakers who use [Ekinata] in domains where [Swahili] is expected show apprehension and exercise considerable self sensorship... Secondly, people using [Ekinata] in domains in which [Swahili] is expected are discouraged, or reproached... Thirdly, the use of [Ekinata] in domains in which [Swahili] is expected is done in a way which tends to relegate [Ekinata] to the past."
"The speakers of [Ekinata] occupy the sparsely populated village settlements of Mogeta, Ishenyi, Nata and Ikoma... The villages lie on the north western border of Serengeti National Park, about 80 to 120 kilometers east of Lake Victoria port of Musoma, the regional administrative town."