Population

453,000 in Kenya (1994 I. Larsen BTL). Population total all countries: 883,000.

Region

Kajiado and Narok districts, Rift Valley Province. Also spoken in Tanzania .

Alternate names  

Masai

Dialects

Kaputiei, Keekonyokie, Matapo, Laitokitok, Iloodokilani, Damat, Purko, Loitai, Siria, Moitanik (Wuasinkishu), Kore, Arusa (Arusha), Parakuyo (Baraguyu, Kwavi), Kisonko. Arusha is distinct from the Bantu Chaga-related variety.

One source reports that Arusha who are pastoralists dress like the Maasai and speak a Maasai-related variety, whereas those who are agriculturalists intermarry with the Chaga. Other sources say the Arusha originally spoke a Bantu language.

The dialects listed in Tanzania have 82% to 86% lexical similarity with Kenya dialects. In Kenya , Purko has 91% to 96% lexical similarity with other Kenya dialects, 82% with Baraguyu, 86% with Arusha, 77% to 89% with Samburu, 82% to 89% with Chamus, 60% with Ngasa (Ongamo).

Classification

Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Lotuxo-Maa, Ongamo-Maa

Language use

The Kore now speak Somali as first language.

Language development

Literacy rate in first language: below 1%. Literacy rate in second language: 18%. Bible: 1991.

Comments

Seminomadic. Purko is the largest dialect in Kenya and centrally located. VSO. Pastoralists: cattle, goats; agriculturalists. Traditional religion, Christian.