Kota language (Gabon)

{{Short description|Language of Gabon}}

{{Distinguish|Kota language (India)|Kota language (Central African Republic)}}

{{Expand French|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox language

|name=Kota

|nativename=iKota

|states=Gabon, Republic of the Congo

|speakers={{sigfig|34,060|2}}

|date=2000–2007

|ref=e18

|familycolor=Niger-Congo

|fam2=Atlantic–Congo

|fam3=Benue–Congo

|fam4=Bantoid

|fam5=Bantu (Zone B)

|fam6=Kele (b. 20)

|iso3=koq

|glotto=kota1274

|glottorefname=Kota (Gabon)

|guthrie=B.25

}}

Kota, or iKota, is a Bantu language spoken by the Bakota people. It is spoken in northeastern Gabon, Ogooué-Ivindo Province and in some areas of Republic of Congo. According to Ethnologue there are 34,442 Kota speakers in Gabon and 9,055 in the Republic of Congo.[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=koq Ethnologue report]

Kota includes several dialects, which include: Ndambomo, Mahongwe, Ikota-la-hua, Sake, Menzambi, Bougom.