Which major Nilo-Saharan language groups are spoken in eastern Africa?

The Nilo-Saharan language family is highly diverse, with a significant concentration of its groups located in eastern Africa. The most prominent division within this family in the region is the Eastern Sudanic languages, which are spoken from Egypt in the north to Tanzania in the south.1

Major groups within the Eastern Sudanic branch found in eastern Africa include:

• Nilotic languages: One of the most important groups, spanning from South Sudan and Ethiopia through Uganda and Kenya into northern Tanzania.12
• Nubian languages: Primarily associated with the Nile Valley and the Nuba Hills.1
• Surmic languages: Found in the border areas of Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.1
• Kuliak languages: Spoken by small communities in Uganda.1
• Other groups: These include Eastern Jebel, Taman, Daju, Nera, Nyimang, Afitti, Temein, and Keiga Jirru.1

Additionally, other Nilo-Saharan groups such as Berta, Kunama, Central Sudanic, Komuz, and Kadu are also represented in the eastern part of the continent.13