Rutara languages

The Rutara or Runyakitara languages (endonym: Orutara, Orunyakitara) are a group of closely related Bantu languages spoken in the African Great Lakes region. They include languages such as Runyoro, Runyankore and Ruhaya. The language group takes its name from the Empire of Kitara.

Classification
Rutara is divided into two branches, North and South Rutara:


 * North Rutara
 * Hema (Ruhema)
 * Nkore-Kiga-Nyoro-Tooro
 * Nkore-Kiga (Runyankore-Rukiga)
 * Nkore (Runyankore)
 * Kiga (Rukiga)
 * Nyoro-Tooro (Runyoro-Rutooro)
 * Nyoro (Runyoro)
 * Tooro (Rutooro)
 * Ruuli (Ruruuli)
 * Talinga (Kitalinga)
 * South Rutara
 * Haya (Luhaya)
 * Nyambo (Runyambo)

Standardized language

 * Runyakitara

History
According to glottochronological calculations, Proto-Rutara emerged in the year 700AD. Proto-Rutara was first spoken in the Kagera Region of Tanzania near Bukoba before spreading northwards into Uganda and the DRC.