Introduction

The Vili language of the Republic of Congo is spoken by about 13,000 in that country and 16,690 worldwide. The ISO code is [vif]. Alternate names include: Bavili, Civili, Fiot, Fiote, Tshivili, Tsivili. The language is classified as: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kikongo (H.12). There are about six dialects: Civili ci Loango, Civili ci Moongo, Civili ci Yombe, Civili ci Waanda, Kotchi, Lindji in addition to Woyo, dialect subgroup.

They are located in Kouilou and Pointe-Noire departments: on the coast between the Angola and Gabon borders, on Yoombe Island; and in the Niari department.

The Vili value their language, and sometimes use Kituba [mkw] with their neighbors.