This map shows the distribution of the "Mao and Komo languages" in western Ethiopia. The two Omotic Mao languages, Seze and Hozo, are spoken only in Oromia Regional State and have no official status. The concentration of Hozo in the Dabus swamps on both sides of the Dabus River is striking. Hozo speakers live almost exclusively in the inhospitable swamps of the Dabus, which is also reflected in the language's vocabulary.
Gwama, a Nilo-Saharan language, can be linguistically and culturally divided into "Highland Gwama" (self-designation: Mao) and "Lowland Gwama" (self-designation: non-Mao) and is spoken in both Oromia and Benishagul Gumuz Regional State. Komo, also Nilo-Saharan, is spoken in the lowlands along the border with South Sudan. In Benishangul-Gumuz, Gwama and Komo are being developed into written languages and used in pilot schools
