Gusii

Gusii (also known as Kisii) is a language spoken in Kenya. It is estimated that there are 1.6 million Gusii speakers. The language is part of the Niger-Congo family and is closely related to other Kenyan languages such as Luo and Kamba. Gusii is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of a word can change depending on the pitch of the speaker's voice. For example, the word nyama can mean either 'meat' or 'animal', depending on how it is said. Gusii is mostly spoken in the Gusii Highlands, which is located in western Kenya. The Gusii people are known for their vibrant culture, which includes traditional music, dance, and art. The Gusii language is under threat from the more widely spoken Swahili language. Many Gusii people are moving to urban areas where Swahili is the dominant language. This is causing the Gusii language to decline in use. However, there are efforts to preserve the Gusii language. The Kisii Language Commission is working to promote the use of Gusii and to create teaching materials. There are also a number of radio stations that broadcast in Gusii. The Gusii language is an important part of Kenyan culture and it is worth preserving.