Soko languages explained

Soko languages should not be confused with Kele languages.

Soko
Also Known As:Soko–Kele
Familycolor:Niger-Congo
Fam2:Atlantic–Congo
Fam3:Benue–Congo
Fam4:Southern Bantoid
Fam5:Bantu (Zone C.50–60)
Fam6:Bangi–Tetela?
Glotto:kele1261
Glottorefname:Kele (C.60)

The Soko or Soko–Kele languages are a clade of Bantu languages coded Zone C.50–60 in Guthrie's classification. According to Nurse & Philippson (2003), apart from Mongo (Nkundo), the languages form a valid node. They are:

(C50) Mbesa, Soko (So), Poke, Lombo, Kele (Lokele, incl. Foma); (C60) Ngando (incl. Lalia)

Maho (2009) adds Likile and Linga to C50. Ethnologue notes a Bantu but otherwise unclassified Moingi language on the river in the middle of Soko–Kele territory.

References