atlas of nigerian languages- ed iii.pdf

8/10/2019 Atlas of Nigerian Languages- ed III.pdf

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AN ATLAS OF NIGERIAN LANGUAGES

Roger Blench

May be freely quoted but please acknowledge source

3rd. Edition

Roger BlenchKay Williamson Educational Foundation8, Guest RoadCambridge CB1 2ALUnited KingdomVoice/Ans 0044-(0)1223-560687Mobile worldwide (00-44)-(0)7967-696804E-mail [email protected]://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm

This version: 03 December 2012


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1. IntroductionThe present electronic is a revised and updated edition of An Index of Nigerian Languages by David Crozierand Roger Blench (1992), which replaced Keir Hansford, John Bendor-Samuel and Ron Stanford (1976), a pioneering attempt to synthesise what was known at the time about the languages of Nigeria and theirclassification. Since 1990, all new information was either collected in the field by Roger Blench or resultedfrom personal communications with him, hence his sole authorship of the present version. Many new categoriesof information have been added since the 1992 edition, largely resulting from technological and social change.2. Definition of a LanguageThe preparation of a listing of Nigerian languages inevitably begs the question of the definition of a language.The terms language and dialect have rather different meanings in informal speech from the more rigorousdefinitions that must be attempted by linguists. Dialect, in particular, is a somewhat pejorative term suggestingit is merely a local variant of a central language. In linguistic terms, however, dialect is merely a regional,social or occupational variant of another speech-form. There is no presupposition about its importance orotherwise. Because of these problems, the more neutral term lect is coming into increasing use to describe anytype of distinctive speech-form.

However, the Index inevitably must have head entries and this involves selecting some terms from thethousands of names recorded and using them to cover a particular linguistic nucleus. In general, the choice of a particular lect name as a head-entry should ideally be made solely on linguistic grounds. In the first edition ofthe Index of Nigerian languages it was suggested that in the absence of absolute recognised criteria, mutualintelligibility, lexicostatistics and sociolinguistic factors would be needed to determine appropriate groupings oflects as languages and dialects.

As recognised then, even now, the information about many of the languages listed in this index is too limited toactually make these sorts of judgment in a scientifically measured way. Linguists have recognised for a longtime that lexicostatistical counts made cold, i.e. in the absence of information about the phonology of alanguage group will inevitably be lower than those made by someone who has studied the soundcorrespondences. The idea that an arbitrary lexical cognate level of say 80 per cent alone determines the boundary between language and dialect was not espoused. Other factors must be taken into consideration.Moreover, it has become clearer that lects can have high cognacy counts and still differ substantially. Forexample, the languages in the Yungur cluster have cognacy counts well above 80 per cent. However, a syntactic process that has caused some of them to switch from noun-class suffixes to prefix systems has had profoundimplications for sentence structure. As a result to call these languages the same language would be to stretchthe usual meaning of these words to breaking point.

The choice of many of the head-entries must therefore rest on the judgment of individual linguists or theviewpoint of the speech communities and will not necessarily conform to a unitary standard. This should not betaken as a charter to give any lect the status of an individual language. One of the problems of a developingsense of ethnicity is that there is a tendency to over-emphasize (or deny) linguistic differences for political andadministrative reasons.

A linguistic atlas should as far as possible refrain from becoming entangled in local and regional politics andstay with the language data. Nonetheless, it should also be recognised that there is an element of self-fulfilling prophecy. A group of people that retains a strong sense of apartness must inevitably develop an image of this intheir language, especially in cultural vocabulary.

One of the features of the first edition of the Index developed to characterise situations where there are groupsof related languages was the language cluster and dialect cluster. Language cluster was defined as wheretogether with sociolinguistic factors and the issue of mutual intelligibility the percentage of related words is notless than 70 per cent and the figure of 80 per cent was adopted for dialect cluster. As suggested above, hardfigures like this can be problematic, but the principle of not giving primacy to a particular speech-form is practical and also tactful. For the present version of the Index, the number of clusters have been substantiallyexpanded, and many lects, previously listed as dialects, have been reclassified as equal members of a cluster.


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Distinctions are equally strong between urban and pastoral Fule, between the Fule wuro and the Fule nai.An urban speech lect has developed among the town Fule in Yola and adjacent centres in Cameroun, which issyntactically and lexically distinct from rural speech forms. In this case, there is a asymmetric relationship between the town and country, as urban Fule have difficulty understanding rural Fule speaking amongthemselves, but the rural groups are fluent in the speech of the towns.

Apart from these distinctions, many Fule no longer speak Fulfulde. For at least two centuries, Fule have beensettling in both the towns and rural regions of Hausaland and other parts of Northern Nigeria. Their gradualassimilation into the local community has led them to drop Fulfulde in favour of Hausa and to adopt externalfeatures of Hausa society in terms of dress and other customs. However, they retain the ethnic label Fulani andsocial distinctions are still made between individuals on this basis, regardless of the linguistic homogeneity.

5. Changes in the Language MapThe language map accompanying the Index has inevitably changed substantially since the first edition and it isworth tabulating the types of changes that have occurred;

5.1 From Numbers to NamesThe map accompanying the first edition had numbers assigned to individual languages. This has the advantageof taking up less space on the map but it was extremely difficult to actually find the less well-known languages.In the present version, language names have been placed on the map. No significance should be attached to the point size in which the names are printed which is usually the largest that will fit in the space available. The useof names makes for easier cross referencing between the index and the map and this has helped in theelimination of certain inconsistencies in the first map.

5.2 Addition of new languagesSince the second edition of the Index, approximately thirty previously unreported languages have been recordedand in some cases, dialects or dialect clusters have been split into their component members following moredetailed research.

6. Reclassification of LanguagesThe major change in language classification since the first edition is the re-alignment of the former Eastern Kwa

into (New) Benue-Congo. In crude terms, the red areas of the former map are now simply considered part of the blue. Kwa is retained for the former Western Kwa and the only languages that fall into this category are Gunand Aja. j and its related single language Defaka, have been excluded from either group and are nowrecognised to constitute a distinct branch of Niger-Congo. These new classifications are explained and justifiedmore explicitly by the contributors to The Niger-Congo languages (Bendor-Samuel 1989).

Within Benue-Congo the most distinctive feature has been the ramification of sub-groups. The now standardview (Williamson, 1989) divides Benue-Congo into twelve branches without proposing higher-order linkages.Blench (1989) constitutes one proposal for the internal classification of Benue-Congo but it is clear that muchwork remains to be done before the situation is clarified.

The main changes in Benue-Congo have been;

1. The establishment ofk , Akpes and Ukaan as distinct branches2. The splitting away from Plateau of the Kainji languages (Greenbergs Plateau 1)3. The division of the newly constituted Plateau into Plateau, Jukunoid and Tarokoid4. Uniting Ebira with the other Nupoid languages5. The addition of Dakoid (previously classified as Adamawa) and its combination with Mambiloid into

North Bantoid

Adamawa languages are far more problematic, in part because they are less known. The most recent survey(Boyd, 1989) divided Adamawa into a large number of subgroups. Bennett (1983) has proposed an internalsubgrouping, but this has yet to be accepted.

The other language families represented in Nigeria, notably Chadic, Saharan, Gur and Mande have not changedsubstantially in the outline of their classification.


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8.3 Languages spoken by pastoralistsOne of the most problematic aspects of representing languages on maps with fixed boundaries is the case of pastoral societies. Pastoralists move with their herds, carrying their language with them and interpenetratesettled communities. The most well known are the Fule but there are many other groups, especially innortheastern Nigeria, such as the Jetko, Koyam, Teda, Shuwa and Yedina. Some nomadic pastoralists, such asthe Uled Suliman and the Twareg, only enter Nigeria in the dry season, returning to the Republic of Niger

during the rains. Obviously the movements of such peoples cannot be captured on a single map and sketches toshow the migratory circuits of some pastoral groups have been added. It should be noted, however, that theseare at best schematic. Pastoral peoples are by the nature of their life-style, flexible and liable to change theirmovements. They could therefore expand into new regions or withdraw from them very rapidly. The mapstherefore only represent the situation recorded in 1990 and should be regarded as subject to change.

8.4 Regions of mixed populationOne of the most problematic aspects of representing languages is regions of mixed population. Populationsoften form linguistically homogeneous zones, especially with the more widespread languages. Elsewhere,communities develop networks of interdependence that create interlocking communities and thus intertwinedlanguages. A notable example of this is the region immediately northeast of the Niger-Benue confluence, whereGbari, Ebira and Basa villages co-exist. Many large settlements have wards representing the three major groups.

These are marked as together in single polygon, but an approximate border is shown where one group begins todominate. This cartographic convention should be taken as only a schematic representation of reality.

8.5 Distribution of second languagesThe use of second languages for communication and in administration was well-established in pre-colonial Nigeria and has further expanded as the diversity of migrations has required the development of linguaefrancae. The most notable languages used in this way are English, Pidgin, Hausa, Kanuri, Fulfulde, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. Some of these are expanding, such as Hausa and Yoruba and others in decline, notably Kanuriand Efik.

8.6 Language endangerment and deathSince this enterprise began, interest in language endangerment has become a highly significant topic, althoughthis has not necessarily led to significantly more documentary work being undertaken on endangered languagesin Nigeria. Nonetheless, a category of degree of endangerment has been introduced and information providedwhere recent sociolinguistic data is available. The following data compares Nigeria with the other countries ofWest Africa.

Declining and moribund are categories to try and capture languages that are apparently in decline despitehaving a viable number of speakers. The assumption is that there are many more languages of this type. Theavailability of information is extremely uneven, so the data was further analysed by country, as shown in Table1. This illustrates yet again Nigerias exceptional situation; its languages are less-known than any other countryeven in percentage terms.


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Table 1. Distribution of languages with no status data by countryCountry Total languages No Data % No data

Niger 11 0 0.0Togo 39 0 0.0Sierra Leone 21 1 4.8Mali 26 2 7.7Senegal 35 4 11.4Guinea-Bissau 21 3 14.3Ghana 66 10 15.2Liberia 32 5 15.6Mauretania 5 1 20.0Burkina Faso 68 16 23.5Cte dIvoire 76 18 23.7Gambia 19 5 26.3Guinea 27 8 29.6Benin 50 16 32.0 Nigeria 550 231 42.0Total and Mean 1050 320 30.5

The explanation for this is actually quite simple; all other West African countries have had a fairly active programme of language survey conducted either by the French research establishment or by the SIL. In Nigeria,since the virtual cessation of SIL activities in 1976, very limited further survey work was conducted.

8.7 Pattern of language endangermentIn general, West African languages are in a healthy state. Compared to Eastern and Southern Africa, only a fewlanguages are disappearing. The clear contrast with East Africa which almost certainly reflects the dominanceof smallholder farming systems. A lack of mobility and a relative inflexibility in reinventing subsistencestrategies tends to conserve language and maintain classic patterns of diversification such as areal spread anddialect chains. Language endangerment in West Africa generally through language shift, which usually reflectsthe rise of a dominant culture, formerly military, but often nowadays commercial or religious. This is

particularly the case with Islam; conversion to Islam was historically associated with the rise of highlymilitarised cultures and indeed the slave trade. Thus, Hausa, Arabic, Mandinka, Bambara, Fulfulde and Kanurihave all been associated with aggressive expansionism and the forcible conversion of enslaved peoples. In thecolonial era, the convenience of these languages was such that they were frequently adopted as secondarylanguages of communication. Promoted by the administration they became ever more the vehicle ofassimilatory forces pressing on minority languages.

Box 1 illustrates the case of Yangkam, a language of Central Nigeria that is severely endangered because theassociation of its people with Islamic expansion during the nineteenth century.

Box 1. The case of Yangkam

The Yangkam people live in a region west of Bashar town, on the Amper-Bashar road, in Plateau State, Central Nigeria. They are known as Bashar or Basherawa (the Hausaised name for the people) in almost all theliterature (Greenberg 1963; Crozier & Blench 1992). The correct name of the Bashar language and people isYkm, plural aYakam. Crozier and Blench (1992) give a figure of 20,000 speakers of the language locatedin and around Bashar town, some 50 km east of Amper on the Muri road. This estimate turned out to be entirelyerroneous. The Yangkam people were heavily affected by nineteenth century slave raids, perhaps by the Jukunas well as the Hausa. They converted to Islam and a relatively powerful centre was established at Bashar. At thesame time they began to switch to speaking Hausa, while still retaining strongly their Bashar identity. In theregion of Bashar town in 1997, there were just two old men who remain reasonably fluent in the language, inthe village of Yuli, some 15 km northwest of Bashar. However, it turns out that at the time of the raids, the population split into two and another group sought refuge in Tukur. Yangkam is spoken in some four villages,Tukur, Bayar, Pyaksam and Kiram. However, even here Yangkam is only spoken by people over fifty and all

the young people speak Hausa. There seems to be no likelihood that Yangkam will be maintained as speakersare quite content with the switch to Hausa. The local estimate of the number of fluent speakers is 400, and


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falling every year. There are many hamlets around Bashar town in Wase local Government whose populationsare ethnically Yangkam but who no longer speak the language.

Yangkam is something of a paradox; members of the ethnic group are very proud of their history and identity, but do not associate that with retention of the language. Hausa is not spoken as a first language by any populations nearby and Bashar is today well-off major routes for long-distance trade. A typescript of the historyof Bashar circulates in the district, larded with non-Hausa names and words but Yangkam do not draw theconclusion that there is any link between this identity and the language they formerly spoke. AlthoughYangkam has nearly disappeared as a language, the populations who formerly spoke it are likely to retainBasherawa and Basheranci as their name for the people and language as long as they retain a separate identity.

Source: Authors unpublished fieldwork

Not all large vehicular languages were the products of Islamisation; Moore, Yoruba, Efik/Ibibio, Akan andWolof seem to have expanded, often in a military context, but prior to or unrelated to Islam. Interestingly, theselanguages have been less successful in the post-colonial phase of cultural expansion, suggesting that thetransition to a trade language was less successful than, say, Hausa or Bambara. Islam, as also Christianity, hasalways had long-distance trade as a second arrow in its quiver, when the impetus for military conquest wasexhausted. This made languages with a prior embedded trade vocabulary highly suitable to the colonialadministrators. Less commerce-oriented languages made more limited inroads in an era of relative peace.

Interestingly, the apparent preconditions for language death set up negative expectations that turn out to beunnecessarily pessimistic. Surveys of Plateau languages 1993-1999 showed that in almost every case, evenlanguages with relatively small numbers of speakers appeared to be flourishing, rather against expectation. Box2 gives an example of two related languages form the Mambiloid family which might appear prime candidatesfor endangerment which appear to be thriving.

Box 2. Mvan p and Ndunda

Meek (1931) gives a short wordlist of a language he calls Magu, spoken at Zongo Ajiya in the northwest of theMambila Plateau in southeastern Nigeria. While undoubtedly a Mambiloid language, it seems to be distinct

from Mambila proper. In Crozier & Blench (1992) the population is given as less than 10,000 and calledMvano. Following a field visit in 1999 we ascertained how incorrect this information was. The Mvanip peopleare only 100 (chiefs estimate) consisting of a few households in one quarter of Zongo Ajiya. Almost allindividuals seemed to be fluent in the other languages of Zongo Ajiya, Fulfulde, Mambila and Ndoro. Despitethis, the language seems to be alive the Jauro assured us that all the children still speak it, and we observed thisto be true. A long wordlist was taped and there is no doubt this is the same language given in Meek as Magu.

When we asked for the language closest to Mvanip, to our surprise, we were given the name of the Ndunda people. Ndunda is a village some 5km. from Yerimaru, past Kakara on the tea estate road south of Zongo Ajiya.And indeed, there are a people and language of this name whose existence seems so far to have entirely eludedthe reference books. Their language resembles Mvanip but the two are sufficiently distinct as to be regarded asseparate languages. There are probably 3-400 speakers of Ndunda. The language is also alive and well althoughthe Ndunda settlement is much more ethnically homogeneous than Zongo Ajiya.

Mvan p and Ndunda would appear to be prime candidates for language loss. Their numbers are very small, andthe populations live in close proximity to prestigious and numerically dominant languages associated withIslam. However, they seem to have developed a situation of stable multilingualism and religious synthesis thatallows them to conserve their traditions without seeming anomalous to outsiders. In contrast to the Yangkam(see Box 1) the Mambila Plateau is off major trade routes and remains highly inaccessible even in modern Nigeria.

Blench & Connell, survey notes 1999


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9. Queries

9.1 Resolving QueriesThe first edition of the Index of Nigerian Languages listed the following languages as extinct;

Ashaganna Fali of Baissa ShirawaAuyokawa Kpati TauraBassa-Kontagora Lufu

Further investigations have established the status of some of these languages:

Ashaganna no further dataAuyokawa definitely extinctBassa-Kontagora 10 speakers alive in 1987Fali of Baissa Spoken by a few individuals on the Falinga Plateau in southern Taraba State. A

fragmentary wordlist was recorded by Robert Koops in the early 1970s, suggestingthat the language is clearly Benue-Congo, but its further affiliation is uncertain.

Kpati no further data

Lufu not extinct, see entryShirawa extinct but a manuscript wordlist shows that it was merely a dialect of BadeTaura still extant: see entry and Shimizu (1982)

The following languages appear to have become extinct:

Ajanci, a north Bauchi language, reported by Skinner (1977) (=Ajawa in the first edition)Akpondu, a language related to AlumuBasa-Gumna, a Basa lect, no competent speakers in 1987Buta-Ningi, an East Kainji language, Speakers were contacted by Ian Maddieson in 1975 but enquiries in 1990revealed no remaining speakersHolma, a relative of Njanyi, with 4 aged speakers in 1987

9.2 Unresolved Queries Notes on Unresolved Queries in Editions 1 and 2.

Agalawa A Hausa clan no distinct linguistic elementAjawa See aboveAmbo TivoidBakarawa possibly a-Koor (see Kag cluster)Bellawa Now known from Schuh (1978) (see entry)Buru Bantoid language of the Baissa regionCineni A distinct language closely related to Gava-Guduf (Kraft 1981) now given an entryDazawa Daza: a Chadic language of the Bole-Tangale group (Schuh 1978)Ganawa Northern Jos language (Shimizu 1982)Jilbu Fali of JilvuJiriya Ziriya (Shimizu 1982). Now extinctJubawa =Jibawa, i.e. JibuKofa Language spoken near Sorau in Adamawa State related to BataKolbila Spoken only in CamerounLaka =Kamuku Laka, Hausa-speaking KamukuOruma See textPurra A cover term for the northern clans of the YungurRoma A village in the Zuru area referred to in Rowlands (1962), whose inhabitants are the Adoma.

Although the language spoken there today is Lela, the original language was presumably relatedto Gwamhi-Wuri (Regnier, p.c.)

Rumada Generic term for former serfs of the Ful e, nmo distinct linguistic identity


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Shau Northern Jos language (Shimizu 1982)Subku =Subtuu, a Yungur clanTeshenawa A long-extinct Chadic languageWudufu =Kariya Wudufu, i.e. MburkuWushishi Probably Basa-GumnaYan =Yang (town name), i.e. LalaYingilim Not spoken in NigeriaYumu Town name. Kambari spoken in the region

9.3 UpdatingComputers have made the task of keeping the task of updating the Index and the maps a much less dauntingtask for the future. Future editions will contain additional information in the following areas:

9.3.1 Mapsa) detailed maps of complex regions b) maps to show the migrations of pastoral groupsc) maps of the distribution of major linguae francae, and other important socio-linguistic features.

9.3.2 Literacy and Printed materialsMore detail on the status of different speech forms. To know that there is printed material in a language is not tohave information on whether literacy is actually a significant feature of a language.

9.3.3 Non-print mediaCategories for media other than print: such as radio, television, cassettes, film and video have become moreimportant and they are becoming significant in the promotion or otherwise of individual languages. Data on theuse of these media would be valuable.

9.3.4 Language UseFirst and second language use. What other languages are

commonly spoken by the speakers of particular lects?10. New MediaSince the earlier editions, much has changed in the technologyof language dissemination; no reference was made even toradio and television in previous syntheses. Now both theinternet and SMS text-messaging have to be considered.Indeed, text-messaging and the possibilities of transmittingtexts in particular languages may turn out to be crucial to theiracceptance among the next generation of speakers.

11. ScriptsEarlier editions of the Index had little to say about indigenous(i.e. pre-European) scripts. The most well-known script fallinginto this category is the use of adapted Arabic script to writeHausa and other northern languages. Although far behind theuse of the Roman alphabet, Islamic revivalism has led to arenewed interest in Arabic script, something also encouraged,ironically, by the Arabic Script initiative supported byChristian organsations. Currently, the following languages arewritten in Arabic script (Table 2 );

Photo 1. NASFAT sign, Gusau

Source: Courtesy Andy Warren


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Table 2. Nigerian languages written in Arabic scriptLanguage Name Current CommentArabic Arabic YesHausa Ajami YesFulfulde YesKanuri Yes Nupe No

Warren (2012) is a valuable overview of Arabic script use in Northern Nigeria.

Apart from this, there are a number of other scripts, all of twentieth century origin, invented by inspiredindividuals, which have had more or less currency. These are principally for Hausa, but there is also theintriguing Ibibio script.

12. Deaf and sign languagesAnother area which has been poorly documented until recently are sign languages, spoken typically by deafcommunities but in some case also by hearing individuals. There is a Nigerian sign language, taught in deafschools, but this derives from American Sign Language (ASL). Information about numbers of users and theircompetence is extremely sparse. At least one indigenous sign language has been documented, that used by theBura people in NE Nigeria (Blench 2004 and Photo 2). However, by virtue of sheer numbers, there must bemany more waiting to be recorded.

13. AcknowledgmentsAn enterprise such as the Atlas of Nigerian Languages is above all aco-operative enterprise. It depends on scholars making availableadvance copies of field materials and local enthusiasts willing to assistin the plotting of language distribution and discussion of dialect andintelligibility issues.

Table 3 below may be said to constitute major acknowledgments, thatis scholars who have contributed substantially to improved knowledgeof language distribution in unpublished communications. Theacknowledgments given in the introduction to the first edition are notrepeated here, but the author would like to thank those earliercontributors for their work. New maps of published materials areincluded in the bibliography and are therefore not referred to here.

Photo 2. Three members of theBura deaf community

Source: Courtesy Andy Warren


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Table 3. Individuals contributing information on particular languages

Name Region or Language(s)Apollos Agamalafiya ResheKaty Barnwell Various languages in Gombe and Bauchi StatesJacob Bess MwaghavulBernard Caron South Bauchi languages

Anja Choon UwuDavid Crozier Numerous languagesDeme Dang AtenBarnabas Dusu () BeromMark Gaddis Ashe, Id and NyankpaBen Gimba Baushi clusterHarald Hammarstrom Corrections to various entriesDavid Heath tHun, ut-MainLuther Hon Kadara cluster languagesBarau Kato Plateau, Adamawa languagesSelbut Longtau Various languagesAlex Maikarfi Kadara cluster languagesStuart McGill West Kainji languagesJames McDonell RinAnthony Ndemsai Kirya-KonzlGareth Mort Kamuku languagesKatherine Mort Kamuku languagesJohn Muniru Language surveyJohn Nengel East Kainji languagesMike Rueck Various languagesSophie Salffner IkaannAnne Storch Jukunoid languagesMusa Tula TulaMark van der Velde naAndy Warren Berom, Bura and Arabic scriptMohammed bin Yauri Hungwry Zachariah Yoder Various languages


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Key to the Index

The index is arranged alphabetically with the language entries in large print at the margin. Cross references arein smaller print and indented.

The information about each language is classified according to the numbers 1 to 17.

1.A Alternate spellings of the head name1.B The peoples own name for their language1.C The peoples own name for themselves2.A Other names for the language based on its location2.B Other names for the language2.C Other names for the people3. Location by state and local government area4. Approximate number of speakers5. Linguistic classification6. Dialects7. Publications in the language

8. Scripture publications in the language9. Linguistic publications (also drafts in circulation)10. Second language use11. Endangerment status12. Media use (Television, Radio)13. Literacy14. Internet presence15. Text-messaging16. Sign languages17. Scripts


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Atlas of Nigerian Languages Edition III.

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A.

aBaangi = Baangi: a dialect of Kambari IAbacha = Basa-BenueAbadi = Ava i: a dialect of Kambari IAbak a dialect of AnaangAbakan = KpanAbakpa = Ekin: see the Ejagham clusterAbakwariga = Hausa (from Jukun)Abanliku = ObanlikuAbanyom = BakorAbanyum = BakorAbaro = BoroAbaroAbatsa = Basa BenueAbawa GupaAbawaAbayongo member of the Agwagwune clusterAbbi dialect ofkwuan: seekwuan Aboh Ndn Abewa = AsuAbini member of the Agwagwune clusterAbinsi member of the Kororofa clusterAbiri = Abini: see the Agwagwune clusterAbisi = PitiAbo dialect of BokyiAboh a member ofkwuan AbohNdn clusterAbokpna a dialect of GbariAbong = Abon

1. Abon1.A Abong

1.B Ab1.C Ab2.A Abon2.C Baban3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA, Abong town (east ofBaissa)4. Only spoken in Abong town5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: TivoidSource(s) Blench (1990)Refs. Meek (1931: II:562); W&B (1952: 113);Shimizu (1980a: 22)

Aboro = NincutAbu = JiddaAbu cluster

2. Abua1.B Abuan1.C Abua3. Rivers State, Ahoada LGA4. 11,000 (1963): estimated 25,000 (Faraclas 1989)5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: CentralDelta6. Central Abuan,mughan,tabha (tapha),Okpeen7. Reading and Writing Book 1966; Primer 1 1971;

Primer 2 1973; 3 postprimer books 1972, 73;8. New Testament 1976; Scripture portions from1967; Selections from Psalms, 1990;

9. Dictionary: Gardner (1980);Refs. Wolff (1959); Talbot (1926: I:14, II.2)

Abuan = Abua

3. Abureni1.C Mini2.C Mini3. Rivers State, Brass LGA4. 3 villages5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: CentralDelta groupSource(s) Williamson 2002;

Aeele =eleel =eleAche = Koron Ache = Begbere, see the Tinor-Myamya clusterAbuloma = ObulomAchipa = nextAchipawa = SagamukAchiro mentioned in Shimizu (1971)Acipa = SagamukAda = KuturmiAdamawa dialect group of FulfuldeAdara = KadaraAdarawa a Hausa subgroupAde unknown except for a reference by Temple(1922: Kabba Province)Adere = Dzodzinka

ddka = Madaka: dialect of BauchiAibom dialect of OualAdikummu Sukur = SakunAdim member of the Agwagwune clusterAdiri = DzodinkaAdoma = Kar: see the KagFerJiirKarKoorRor UsZuksun clusterAdong = IdunAd= IdunAduge =kpamheriAdun = IdunAdun dialect of MbembeAdyaktye = KakandaAfa = PaAfa member of Arigidi clusterAfade = Afa eAfadee = Afa e

4. Afa 1.A Afade, Affade, Afadee1.B Afa 2.A Kotoko, Mogari3. Borno State, Ngala LGA; and in Cameroon4. Twelve villages in Nigeria, estimate less than20,000 (1990)

5. Chadic: BiuMandara B: Mandage groupSource(s) Blench (1990); Tourneux (1997)


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3. Cross River State, Akamkpa LGA, EgupIpaDevelopment Area7.f *Etono II1.C Etuno3. Cross River State, Akamkpa LGA, UbagharaDevelopment Area

Agwara = Nwanci dialect of Kambari IIAgwatashi dialect of AlagoAgwe = Koro Agwe: see the Tinor-Myamya clusterAgwere = BegbereEjarAgwolok nextAgwot = Kagoro: see the Katab cluster

8. Ahan1.C hn3. Ondo State, Ekiti LGA, Ajowa, Igashi, and Omoutowns5. BenueCongo: West: Ayere-AhanSource(s) Williamson (1991)

Aike = AkeAho = EloyiAholio = Sholio: see the Katab clusterAika = UkaanAja part of the Gbe clusterAjami = Hausa Arabic scriptAjanci an extinct member of the North Bauchilanguages formerly spoken at Kworko: Thomas(1914); Temple (1922); Meek (Thomas) (1925) Gunn

(1953); Skinner (1977)Ajanji = JanjiAjawa = Ajanci

9. Ajiya1.A Ajuli1.B Ajiya1.C Ajiya2.A Idon, Idong, Idon-Doka-Makyali3. Kaduna State, Kachia LGA4. Three towns5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Northwestern groupSources: Hon et al. (2011)

10. Ajuwa-Ajegha1.B Ajuwa1.C Ajuwa3. Kaduna State, Kajuru LGA4. Towns; Kalla, Afogo, Iburu, Idon, MakyaliSources : Maikarfi (2007)

Aje a member of the Arigidi clusterAjure = Kajuru: see KadaraAkajuk = EkajukAkam dialect of Mbembe

Akamkpa = EjaghamAkanda = Kakanda: see the Nupe clusterAkasa = next

Akassa = Akaha: member of KOIN: j clusterky = King

11. Ake1.A Akye, Aike3. Nassarawa State, Lafia LGA4. 354 (Meek 1925); 3000 (Blench 1999)5. Benue-Congo: Plateau: Southern; EggonicSource: Blench (1999); Kato (2006)Refs. Temple (1922: 6); Meek (1925: II.185);Gerhardt (1989)

Ak nfai a dialect of Epiek @ts #kp @ = Ashuku: see Mbembe (Tigong)Akimba a dialect of Kambari IIAk ta member of Inland j cluster: j kz dialect of NinzamAko dialect ofkpeyeAkoiyang = KingAkoko - a term used for the Arigidi cluster, Ahan,Ayere andkaAkono dialect of YorubaAkonto = Mbembe (Tigong) clusteraKoor = Koor: KagFerJiirKarKoorRorUs Zuksun clusterAkpa-Yace see Akpa and Yace

12. Akpa2.B Akweya3. Benue State, Otukpo LGA

4. 5,500 (1952 RGA)5. Benue-Congo: IdomoidRefs. Armstrong (1979)

Akpambe = NkumAkpambe: a dialect of YalaAkpanzhi = KpanAkparabong = Ekparabong: see the Ndoe cluster

13. Akpes cluster3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA5. BenueCongo: AkpesRefs. IbrahimArirabiyi (1989)13.a *Akpes1.B Akpes2.A Akunnu3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Akunnu andAjowa townsRefs. Daramla (1984)13. b *As 3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, As town*Daja1.B Daja1.C Daja3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Ajowa town4. 5,000Refs. Ayola (1986)13.c *Efifa3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Ajowa town


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(N.B. This may not exist, as the only wordlistcollected is Yoruba doubtful status at least)13. d *Esuku1.A Echuku3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Ajowa town13. e *Gedegede3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Gedegede town13. f *Ibaram3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Ibaram town13. g *Ikorom1.A Ikaram2.B Ikeram, Ikaramu3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Ikaram town4. 5,0008,000 (1986)Refs. Raji (1986)13. h *Iyani

AkpetEhom = the UkpetEhom cluster

14. Akpondu1.B Akpondu3. Plateau State4. 1 (2005). The last speaker is only a remember andcan only recall fragmentary vocabulary5. Benue-Congo: Plateau: Alumic10. Ninzo11. MoribundSource: Blench & Kato (2005)

Akpoto = Idoma

Akp MgbuTolu dialect of Ikwerekckp = Ashuku see Mbembe (Tigong)Akuku =kp IdesaAkuku

15. Akum1.C Anyar3. Taraba State, ca. 650N, 950E4. 3 villages in Nigeria; 600 in Cameroun (1976)5. Benue-Congo: JukunoidRefs. Breton (1993)

Akunakuna = AgwagwuneAkunnu = AkpesAkurakura = Agwagwune: see the AgwagwuneclusterAkurumi = KuramaAkusa = YorubaAkuut = BeromAkwa = RinAkweya = AkpaAkye = AkeAla = Koron Ala: see AsheAlada dialect of Gbe

16. Alago1.A Arago1.C Idoma Nokwu3. Nasarawa State, Awe and Lafia LGAs4. 15,000 (1953 RGA)5. BenueCongo: Idomoid: group b6. Agwatashi, Assaikio, Doma, Keana in towns ofthese names8. Mark 1929Source(s)

Alataghwa = Zaladva: see the Lamang cluster

17. Alege3. Cross River State, Obudu LGA5. BenueCongo: Unclassified: Bendi i.

Alifokpa dialect of Yace

18. Alumu-T su cluster1.A ArumChessu3. Nasarawa State, Akwanga LGA5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Alumic18.a *Alumu1. Arum4. Seven villages. ca. 5000 (Blench 1999)18. b *Tsu1. Chessu4. Two villages. ca. 1000 (Blench 1999)Source Blench (1999), Kato (2003)

Alu dialect of IkwereAm Pkk = BoleAmala = MalaAmana = EmaneAmanda = Batu Amanda: see the Batu clusterAmar = Amar Randa, Amar Tita dialects of NinzamAmap = Amo

19. Ambo3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA4. A single village east of Baissa5. BenueCongo; South Bantoid; Tivoid? [no lexicalevidence]Source(s) Blench (1987)

Amegi = Biseni: member of Inland j: j cluster


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20. Amo1.A Amon, Among1.B Timap1.C Amap pl., Kumap sg.2.B Ba3. Plateau State, Bassa LGA; Kaduna State, SaminakaLGA4. 3,550 (NAT 1950)5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Eastern KainjiRefs. Di Luzio (1972/3)

Amon = UmonAmong = AmoAmpeyi = NupeAmpika = BoleAmtul = TalAmusigbo a dialect of Yorubamzrv = Zizilivk n

21. Anaang1.A Annang, Anang, Ana 3. AkwaIbom State, Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim,Abak, Ukanafun and OrukAnam LGAs4. 246,000 (F&J 1944-5): estimated 1,000,000 (1990)5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: LowerCross: Central group6. Abak, Ikot Ekpene, UkanafunRefs. Connell (1991)

Anabeze = Buji: see the Jere cluster

Anafejanzi = JanjiAnaguta = IgutaAnang = AnaangAna = Anaangnarubnu = Ribina: see JereAnazele = Jere: see the Jera clusterAncha dialect of NinzamAndombo = Batu Andombo a dialect of BatuAndoni = OboloAnegorom = Gurrum dialect of Ribina: see the JeraclusterAnemoro = LemoroAnep = Balep: member of the Ndoe clusterAngan = KamantanAngbe = Angwe: see the Batu clusterAniakawa only referred to in Temple (1922: 17)who lists 220 in Bauchi Division:Anibau = Gusu: see the Jera cluster

22. Anib1.A Kanufi1.B Anib1.C Aninib2.B Karshi3. Kaduna State, Jemaa LGA. Anib is spoken in two

villages about 5 km. west of Gimi, the junction on theAkwanga road which leads towards Kafanchan.

Kanufi I is locally called kprkpd, Kanufi II,kob.4. 2000 (est. 2006)5. BenueCongo: Plateau: NinzicSource(s) : Kato (2006)

Anika = BoleAniocha = nextAni `cha dialect of IgboAnirago = nextAniragu = Niragu: see GbiriNiraguAnkulu = Ikulunkpa dialect of IgalaAnkwa = Iku, GoraAnkwe = GoemaiAnkwai = GoemaiAnnang = AnaangAnorubuna = Ribina: see the Jera clusterAnosangobari = Gusu: see the Jera clusterAnowuru = LemoroAnpika = BoleAnufawa = NupeAnupe = NupeAnupecwayi = NupeAnuperi = NupeAnyama member of Kolo clusterAnyaran = UkaanAnyeb = Balep: member of the Ndoe clusternygb dialect of IgalaAnyima = Lenyima

Ama = Ama Asanga: see SangaApa dialect of KpanApan dialect of IkwereApiapum dialect of MbembeApoi = Ap a south central dialect ofzn: j clusterAp a south central dialect ofzn: j clusterAppa dialect of KpanAppa = TarokAqua = Ekin: see the Ejagham cluster

23. Arabic cluster1.A Arabic1.B Arabiyye3. Borno and Yobe States5. Afroasiatic: Semitic

23.a *Shuwa1.A Choa, Chiwa, Schoa, Shooa, Shuge, Soug,Shua,2.A Shuwa Arabic: Shuwa is regarded as pejorative inChad at least3. Borno State: Dikwa, Konduga, Ngala and BamaLGAs can be regarded as residential areas, but Shuwarange widely across Borno and Yobe States on

transhumance. Also in Cameroun, Chad and Niger. InCameroun & Chad it haslingua franca status.


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4. Over 1.7 million total: 1.56 million in Chad (1986);63,600 in Cameroon (1982 SIL); approximately100,000 in Nigeria (1973 SIL). Fluctuating populationas many Shuwa migrate to neighbouring countries.8. New Testament 1967Source(s) Blench (1990)Refs. Howard (1921); Kaye (1971)23. b *Uled Suliman1.A Libyan Arabic1.B Arabiyye1.C Uled Suliman2.C Ouled Suliman3. Borno State, Geidam, Mober, Yunusari LGAs. Alsoin Chad and Niger.4. The Uled Suliman were formerly seasonal migrantsto Nigeria, but now are based in NE Borno. theirmigratory loops are now extending far southwardsinto Yobe and Jigawa states in the Hadejia-Nguruwetlands. There are probably as many as 20,000regualrly trasnhuming in Nigeria.Source(s) Blench (1990, 2003)23. c *Baggara1.A Sudanese Arabic1.B Arabiyye1.C Baggara3. Yobe State. Also in Sudan.Source(s) Blench (1990)

Arabiyye = Arabic: see Arabic clusterAragba dialect of Mbe West: see the Mbe cluster

Arago = AlagoAregwe = IrigweArek Kaduna State, Jemaa LGA. South of theRumada, east of Gwandara, north of Mada and east of Numana. Shown on map of Gunn (1956).Arewa subgroup of HausaAr m = Adim: see the Agwagwune clusterArhe a member of the Ivbie NorthOkpelaArheclusterAr = Rin

24. Arigidi cluster3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA; Kwara State, KogiLGA5. BenueCongo: Defoid: AkokoidRefs. Capo (1989)24. a *Afa1.B wo$ `n f1.C f2.A OkeAgbe3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, OkeAgbe town,Affa section24. b *Arigidi1.C Argd3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Arigidi town24. c *Eruu1.A Erusu, Erushu1.C Er

3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Eruu townRefs. Ajiboye (1986)24.d *Ese1.B wo$ `n s1.C s2.A Aje, OkeAgbe3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, OkeAgbe town,Ese section24.e *Igai1.A Igashi, Igasi1.B wo$ `n g1.C gsh3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Igai town4. 45,000 (1986)Refs. Fakoyo (1986)24. f *Oge1.B w g1.C ge2.A OkeAgbe3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, OkeAgbe town,Oge section24.g * j 3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, Ajwa town24.h *Oyin3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, OyinAkoko town24. i *Udo1.A Ido1.B wo$ `n d2.A OkeAgbe3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, OkeAgbe town,

Udo section24. j *Uro3. Ondo State, Akoko North LGA, UroAjwa town4. 3,000 (1986)Refs. Aydele (1986)

aRor = Ror. Member of the KagFerJiirKarKoor RorUsZuksun clusterArogbo south western dialect ofzn: j clusterArokwa =r waArringeu = RinArughaunya dialect of OualArumChessu = AlumuTesuArumaruma = RumaAruo only known from Ballard (1971) Map H14 JosDivision areaAsanga = Gusu: see the Jera clusterAsanga = SangaAse member of the Akpes clusterAsebi = RinAsennize = SheniAsnt dialect of GbeasFer = Fer: a member of the KagFerJiirKar KoorRorUsZuksun clusterAshaganna BenueCongo: Kainji, extinct

Ashaku = Ashuku: see the Mbembe (Tigong) cluster


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Aya = AyuAya = Ya: member of the Vaghat clusterAyiga = LeyighaAyikiben = Yukuben

29. Ayu1.A Aya3. Kaduna State, Jemaa LGA4. 2,642 (Ames 1934)5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Ninzic [?]

Azaghvana = Dghwe eAzbinawa = TamajeqAzelle = Jere: see the Jera clusterAzhiga = RinAzora = ZoraaZuksun = Zuksun: see the KagFerJiirKarKoor RorUsZuksun cluster

B.

Ba = AmoBa Giiwo = GiiwoBaKuk = Tiyal: see Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki cluster

30. Baa1.B nyaa B1.C raB sg, B pl.2.A Kwa

3. Adamawa State, Numan LGA, Gyakan and Kwatowns, after Munga4. 1,000 (1973 SIL)5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: Kwa groupSource(s) Blench (1987); Kleinewillinghfer (1992)

31. Baan2.A BanOgoi2.B Goi, Ogoi3. Rivers State, GokanaTaiEleme LGA, BanOgoi plus villages4. Less than 5,000 (1990)5. BenueCongo: Cross River: Delta-Cross: Ogoni:Kegboid6. KaBan, KesariRefs. ???

Baangi a dialect of the Kambari I clusterBaatonu = Baatnun

32. Baat nun1.A Batonu1.C Baatonu, Batonu2.B Bariba, Barba, Berba2.C Brg sg., Barba pl., Bartomba, Burgu, Borgu,

Borgawa, Bogung, Zana, U-zo pl., Ba-zo sg. (fromReshe)3. Kwara State; mainly in Benin Republic

4. 62,634 in Nigeria (1963); 220,000 total (1987UBS)5. Gur7. Monthly newsletter published in Benin Republic8. In Benin New Testament 1977; Old Testamenttranslation in progress9. Dictionary

Baban = AbnBabal = Margi babal dialect of MargiBabir = BuraPabirBabur = BuraPabirBacama member of the Bata clusterBachama = Bacama: see the Bata clusterBache = CheBacheve member of the Iceve clusterBachit dialect of BeromBada member of the Jar clusterBadara = Duguri of Badara member of the JarclusterBadawa = Ba a: Jar clusterBadawai dialect of Kanuri: KanuriKanembu

33. Bade1.A Bedde2.B Gidgid3. Borno State, Bade LGA; Jigawa State, HadejiaLGA4. 31,933 (1952 W&B) includes Duwai and Ngizim;100,000 (1973 SIL)

5. Chadic: West branch B: Bade/Warji major group:Bade group6. Western Bade (Magwaram, Maagwaram), SouthernBade (Bade k-A o), Gashua Bade (Mazgarwa)7. Folktales, 1975Refs. Schuh (1972, 1975, 1978)

Bade k-A o a dialect of BadeBadni = Vodni, part of MwaghavulBa a member of Jar clusterBagba = GejiBaggara member of the Arabic clusterBagira =weenBagura = Gura: see the Lame clusterBagwama = Kurama; and RumaBaho = BeromBahuli = Huli: see the Fali clusterBahumono = KohumonoBaissa Fali of Baissa extinctBajama = Gnoore: see MumuyeBajara unidentified group near Muri (Adelberger)Bajingala Dibo? in Federal Capital Territory, KwaliLGA, North of DangaraBajju = nextBaju = Jju

Bakarawa Kebbi State, Yauri LGA; Possibly inter-married Reshe and Kambari: Harris (1939); Bertho(1952); Gunn and Conant (1960)


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Bakele = Kukele

34. Bakor5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: EkoidBantuSource(s) BCCWRefs. Koelle (1854: 11); Thomas (1914: 8); Winston(1964: 77); Crabb (1965: 7); Asinya (1987)34. a *Abanyom2.A Abanyom, Abanyum2.B Befun, Bofon, Mbofon3. Cross River State, Ikom LGA, main villageAbangkang4. 12,500 (1986)34. b *Efutop1.A Ofutop2.A Agbaragba3. Cross River State, Ikom LGA4. 8,740 (1953), 10,000 (1973 SIL)5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: EkoidBantuRefs. Crabb (1965)34. c *Ekajuk1.A Akajuk3. Cross River State, Ogoja LGA, Bansara, Nwang, Ntara 1,2 and 3, and Ebanibim towns4. more than 10,000 (Crabb 1965); 30,000 (1986Asinya)5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: EkoidBantu

7. Reading and Writing Book 1967, 3 Primers 1969,various post-primer books, proverbs8. New Testament 1971, Scripture portions from1969, 16 books of Old Testament stories 1969Refs. Crabb (1965)34. d *NdeNseleNta cluster3. Cross River State, Ikom LGA4. 10,000 (1973 SIL)5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: EkoidBantuRefs. Asinya (1985)34. *Nde2.B Ekamtulufu, Mbenkpe, Udom, Mbofon, Befon4. 4,000 (1953); est. 12,000 (Asinya 1987)*Nsele1.A Nselle4. 1,000 (1953); est. 3,000 (Asinya 1987)34. *Nta1.C Atam, Afunatam4. est. 4,500 (Asinya 1987)Source(s)34. *NkemNkum cluster3. Cross River State, Ogoja LGA5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: EkoidBantu34. *Nkem1.A Nkim2.A Ogoja

2.B Ishibori4. 11,000 (1953); est. 18,000 (Asinya 1987)6. Nkim, Ogoja, Ishibori, Isibiri, Ogboja8. Ishibori catechism, Catholic hymnbook34. *Nkum4. 5,700 (1953); est. 16,500 (Asinya 1987)Refs. Winston (1964), Crabb (1965)34. *Nnam2.B Ndem3. Cross River State, Ikom and Ogoja LGAs4. 1,230 (1953); est. 3,000 (Asinya 1987)5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: EkoidBantu

35. Bakpinka1.C Iyongiyong, Iyoniyong2.A Uwet2.C Begbungba3. Cross River State, Akamkpa LGA4. Said to be dying out5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: UpperCross: EastWest groupSource(s) (Sterk, n.d.)

Bakulung = KulungBalar = KirBalarBalaabe = YukubenBalagete = EvantBalep member of the Ndoe cluster

36. Bali1.B bal1.Calo, My3. Taraba State, Numan LGA, at Bali, a single villagesouth of Jalingo4. 1,000 (SIL)5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: MumuyeYendanggroup: Yendang subgroup

Bali Holma = HolmaBalleri a dialect of DadiyaBaltap = MontolBambami see AgiBambara = nextBambaro = Mbr: see the Lame clusterBambuka = KyakBambur = KulungBamburo = Mbr: see the Lame clusterBan = BaanBanda = Shoo: see the ShooMindaNye clusterBandas = DurrBaraza: see the Das clusterBandawa = Shoo: see the ShooMindaNye clusterBang a dialect of NorBanga member of the Mboi clusterBanga, Banganci, Bangawa = Baangi: a member of

Kambari I clusterBanga, Banganci, Bangawa = GwamhiWuriBangunji = Bangwinji


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37. Bangjinge1.A Bangunji, Bangunje, Bangwinji1.B B j sg. B jb pl.1.C nyii Bnj 3. Gombe State, Shongom LGA4. Estimated less than 6,000. 25 villages (2008)5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: Waja group i.6. Nabang, Kaloh [orthgraphy based on Nabang]7. Reading and Writing Book (2007)8. Gospel of Luke ready for printing11. Cassettes of Gospel of LukeSource(s) Kleinewillinghfer (1992); Blench (2008)

Bnj = BangwinjiBnjb = BangwinjiBanjiram dialect of LongudaBnjn (nii Bnjn) = BangjingeBankal = Zhr: see the Jar clusterBankala = Zhr: see the Jar clusterBankalanci = Zhr: see the Jar clusterBankalawa = Zhr: see the Jar clusterBara dialect of BoleBaram member of the Polci clusterBaranci = Zhr: see the Jar cluster (not to be confusedwitharawa)Barang = Baram: see the Polci clusterBaraza = DurrBaraza: see the Das clusterBarba = BaatnunBare = Bwazza: see the MbulaBwazza cluster

Baredawa Small community in Bauchi EmirateTemple (1922: 39)Bareshe = ResheBargu = BaatnunBari = NyamnyamBariba = BaatnunBarke = nextBarko = MburkuBarkul = MaboBarkulBarma = Zul: the Polci clusterBaron dialect of Bokkos: see Ron clusterBartomba = BaatnunBarukul = Barkul: MaboBarkulBasa = KudaCamoBasa (Gwandara Basa) = Nimbia: a dialect ofGwandaraBasa reference name for a cluster of languagestentatively subgrouped asBasa-Gurara Basa-Benue Basa-Makurdi, Basa-Gumna Basa-Kontagora and Basa-Gurmana

38. Basa-GumnaBasa-Kontagora cluster5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Western Kainji: Kamuku Basa group

*Basa-Gumna2.B Gwadara-Basa, Basa Kuta, Basa-Kaduna3. Niger State, Chanchaga LGA

4. Only 2 known semi-speakers. The populationknown as Basawa speaks only HausaSource(s) Blench (1987)*Basa-Kontagora3. Niger State, Mariga LGA, N.E. of Kontagora4. less than 10 speakers in 1987Source(s) Blench (1987)

39. Basa-GuraraBasa-BenueBasa-Makurdi5. Benue-Congo: Kainji: Western Kainji: Kamuku Basa group39.a*Basa-Gurara2.A Basa-Kwali3. Federal Capital Territory, Yaba and Kwali LGAs,along the Gurara riverSource(s) Blench (1981)Refs. Sterk (1977)39. b*Basa-Benue1.A Basa1.B RuBasa1.C TuBasa2.B Abacha, Abatsa2.C (Basa-Komo, Basa-Kwomu not recommended)3. Kogi State, Bassa, and Ankpa LGAs, NasarawaState, Nassarawa LGA4. 30,000 (1944-50 HDG); 100,000 (1973 SIL)7. Literature being produced8. Pilgrims Progress (s.d.), Scripture portions from1946, New Testament 1972, first draft of OldTestament translation 1988, Hymnbooks

Source(s) Blench (1992)Refs. UBS (1989)39.c*Basa-Makurdi3. Benue State, Makurdi LGA, several villages on thenorth bank of the Benue, northwest of Makurdi

40. Basa-Gurmana1.B K r mba3. Niger State, border of Rafi and Chanchaga LGAs,Kafin Gurmana4. more than 2,000 speakers (1987)5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Western Kainji: Kamuku Basa groupSource(s) Blench (1987)

Basa-Kaduna = Basa-GumnaBasa-Komo = Basa-BenueBasa Kuta = Basa-GumnaBasa-Kwomo = Basa-BenueBasa-Kwomu = Basa-BenueBasa Nge = Nupe Tako: see the Nupe clusterBasan SouthCentral dialect ofzn: j clusterBasang member of the Obanliku clusterBasanga = DokoUyangaBsu = Basang: see the Obanliku cluster

Basharawa = YangkamBashiri = YangkamBashua dialect of Bokyi


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Bassa = BasaBassan a SouthCentral dialect ofzn: j clusterBasua dialect of BokyiBsw dialect of BokyiBat = Bada: see the Jar cluster

41. Bata cluster5. Chadic: BiuMandara A: Bata group: Bata cluster*Bacama1.A Bachama1.B Kwaa waare1.Cwaare2.C Gboare, Bwatiye3. Adamawa State, Numan and Guyuk LGAs, KadunaState, north east of Kaduna town. Bacama fishermenmigrate long distances down the Benue with camps asfar as the confluence.4. 11,250 (1952) 20,000 (1963)6. Mulyen (Mwulyin), Dong, Opalo, Wa-Duku7. Orthography (1987)8. Mark 1915Source(s) Jacobson (19??) wordlist;Refs. Carnochan (1970)*Bata1.A Batta, Gbwata3. Adamawa State, Numan, Song, Fufore and MubiLGAs; also in Cameroon4. 26,400 (1952), est. 2,000 in Cameroon; 39,000 total(1971 Welmers)6. Koboci, Kobotschi (Koboc , Wadi, Zumu (Jimo),

Malabu, Bata of Ribaw, Bata of Demsa, Bata ofGaroua, JiraiRefs. Meek (1931)

Batonu = BaatnunBatta = Bata

42. Batu cluster3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA, several villages eastof Baissa, below the Mambila escarpment4. 25,000 (SIL)5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: TivoidSource(s) Koops (1971); Blench (1990)Refs. Meek (1931b: II.398ff)*AmandaAfi cluster3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA, Batu Amanda andBatu Afi villages*Angwe3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA, Batu Angwe village*Kamino3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA, Batu Kamino village

Batura = DaffoButura: see RonBauci = BaushiBaushi see Mn, Wy, Ndk , Samburu, Rubu,

H pna (cf. Blench 1987; Regnier 1992)Baule dialect of TulaBaya = Gbaya

Bayak: 4,025 in Bauchi Emirate: Temple (1922: 58)Bayino = Abayongo member of Agwagwune clusterBayobiri member of the UkpeBayobiri clusterBayono = Abayongo: see the Agwagwune clusterBazo = BaatnunBazza = Dakwa: see KamweBebi member of the Obanliku clusterBecheve = Baceve: see Iceve clusterBedde = Bade clusterBefon = Nde: see the Bakor clusterBefun = BakorBegbere-Ejar = Tinor-MyamyaBegbungba = BakpinkaBekulu = Ikulu

43. Bekwarra1.A Bekwara, Bekworra2.B Yakoro3. Cross River State, Ogoja LGA4. 27,500 (1953), 34,000 (1963), 60,000 (1985 SIL)5. BenueCongo: Unclassified: Bendi7. Reading and Writing book 1965; Sounds andSyllables 1969; Picture book 1970; 6 PostPrimer books 19701975; Primers 14 1975; Literacy programme in progress8. 11 Bible Story leaflets 196671; Mark 1976;Questions on Mark 1970; Come and Listen 1972;Ephesians, Philippians 1975; New Testament 1983Refs. Stanford (1967)

Bekworra = BekwarraBele =eeleBellawa =eeleBelegete = EvantBendeghe member of the Ejagham clusterBendi = BeteBendiBengkp = Mbe West: see the Mbe clusterBenin =do (Bin Bekpe dialect of Mbe West: see the Mbe clusterBerba = BaatnunBere = Bwazza: see the MbulaBwazza clusterBeriberi dialect of Kanuri, and alternative name

44. Berom1.A Birom, Berum1.B Cn Brom1.C sg. Wrom, pl. Berom, Birom (Du dialect)2.B Afango, Akuut, Baho, Gbang, Kibbo, Kibo,Kibbun, Kibyen, Sine2.C Shosho, Shaushau (not recommended)3. Plateau State, Jos and Barkin Ladi LGAs; KadunaState, Jemaa LGA4. 54,500 (HDG), 200,000 (1985 SIL)5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Beromic6. GyelKuruVwang; FanForonHeikpang;

BachitGashish; DuRoppRimRiyom; Hoss (?)


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7. Folk Stories 1975, Trial primer in 3 parts, Literacy programme in progress; Official Orthography (Kuhn& Dusu 1985).8. Scripture portions from 1916, Hymnbook, NewTestament 1984, Old Testament translation complete(2010)9. Dictionaries; Bouquiaux (2001) [Du]; (Blench et al.in prep.); Grammar Bouquiaux (1970) [Du]Sources: Dusu (2003)Refs.

Berum = Berom

45. Bete3. Taraba State, Wukari LGA, Bete town4. Language dying out.5. Unclassified.

46. BeteBendi1.A BetteBendi2.B Dama3. Cross River State, Obudu LGA4. 17,250 (1952), 36,800 (1963)5. BenueCongo: Unclassified: Bendi6. Bete, Bendi7. Primers 13, literacy programme in progress8. Portions of Scripture 1977, New Testament 1984Source(s)

Bl = Buli: see the Polci cluster

Brbou dialect of TsoboBiakpan member of the Ubaghara clusterBibot = Boto: see the Zari clusterBijim member of the Vaghat clusterBilanci =ileBili = Buli: the Polci clusterBili =ileBiliri = TangaleBille =ileBilliri dialect of Tangale

47. Bina2.B Bogana2.C Binawa3. Kaduna State, Saminaka LGA4. 220 (NAT 1949), 2,000 (1973 SIL)5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Eastern Kainji: Northern Josgroup: Kauru subgroup

Binawa = Bina Bindege = nextBindiga = Bendeghe: see the Ejagham clusterBini =doBinna =enaBiotu = the j name for IsokoBira = Igu: see Ebira

Biri = Igu: see EbiraBirom = BeromBs = Bisa: member of the Busa cluster

Biseni member of the Inland j cluster: see j Bishiri member of the Obanliku clusterBisi = PitiBissaula dialect of KpanBisu member of the Obanliku cluster

48. Bitare2.B Njwande, Yukutare3. Taraba State; Sardauna LGA, near Baissa; and inCameroon4. 3,700 in Cameroon (1987 SIL); 3,000 in Nigeria(1973 SIL)5. BenueCongo; Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: Tivoid

49. Bo-Rukul 1.A MaboBarkul2.A Mabol, Barukul2.B Kulere; Kaleri (erroneous)3. Plateau State, Mangu LGA, Richa district5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Southeastern groupSource(s) Blench (1998)

Bobar member of the Jar clusterBo Dera = DeraBofon = Nde: see the Bakor clusterBofon = Bakor

50. Boga1.A Boka3. Adamawa State, Gombi LGA

5. Chadic: BiuMandara branch A: Tera group:Eastern ClusterSource(s) S. Lukas wordlistRefs. Newman (1964) fn.4

Bogana = BinawaBogghom = Boghom

51. Boghom1.A Burom, Burrum, Burma, Borrom, Boghorom,Bogghom, Bohom, Bokiyim2.C Burumawa3. Plateau State, Kanam LGA4. 9,500 (1952 W&B), 50,000 (1973 SIL)5. Chadic: West branch B: Zaar group: Boghomsubgroup8. Portions of Scripture from 1955Source(s) Refs. Shimizu (1975b); Newman (1977)

Boghorom = BoghomBogung = BaatnunBh el =eeleBohom = BoghomBoi = Ya: member of the Vaghat cluster

Boje dialect of BokyiBoka = BogaBoki = Bokyi


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Bokiyim = BoghomBokkos dialect of RonBoko dialect of BusaBokobaru = Kaiama: member of the Busa clusterBokos = Bokkos: see RonBokwa dialect of Glavda?

52. Bokyi1.A Boki2.B Nki, Okii, Uki2.C Nfua3. Cross River State, Ikom, Ogoja and Obudu LGAs;and in Cameroon4. 43,000 (1963); 50,000 in Nigeria (1987 UBS),3,700 in Cameroon (SIL)5. BenueCongo: Unclassified: Bendi6. By clans: Abo, Bashua, Boje, East Boki, Irruan,Osokum, Basua/ashua, Wula: Bsw, Okndi,Kecwan (data from Del Springer)7. 6 Readers, tests for the Readers, Teachers Manual1972, PostPrimer books 19721975, dictionary1975, literacy programme in progress8. Scripture portions from 1972, New Testament1978, complete Bible in press 1985Source(s) Bruns (1975)

Bolanci = Bole

53. Bole1.B B Pkk, Bopika

1.C Am Pkk, Ampika2.A Fika, Piika2.B Bolanci2.C Anika, Bolewa3. Bauchi State, Dukku, Alkaleri, and Darazo LGAs;Borno State, Fika LGA4. 32,000 (1952 W&B); est. >100,000 (1990)5. Chadic: West branch A: BoleNgas major group:Bole group6. Bara, Fika (Fiyankayen, Anpika)7. Pamphlets; Reading and Writing Book (2006)8. NT extracts (2007)9. Dictionary (Gimba et al. 2004)Source(s) Lukas (19523); Schuh p.c.; Newman p.c.;Leger (1990);Blench (2007)Refs. Lukas (197071), P. Newman (1977)

Boleri = DadiyaBolu member of the Geji clusterBoma =m: a dialect ofzn: see the j clusterBomawa small clan in Bauchi Emirate: Temple(1922: 69,427)Bombaro = nextBomborawa = Bambaro: see the Lame clusterBonny =an: member of the KOIN cluster: see j

clusterBonny = Bonny & Apobo: dialect of IgboBoo = Boko: see Busa

B Pkk = BoleBoodl = Zumbul: see the Das clusterBoot = Boto: see the Zari clusterBopika = BoleBorgu = BaatnunBoritsu = YukubenBorno dialect of Kanuri and alternative nameBornu dialect of Kanuri and alternative nameBoroAboro = Aboro: see NincutBorrom = BoghomBotai dialect of GbariBoto member of the Zari clusterBoe dialect of KanaBourrah = BuraBoussa = BusaBozo = Sorko (not recommended)Brass = NembeAkaha: see j clusterBu Giiwo = GiiwoBuBure = BureBucepo = SagamukBucinda = Cinda: see the Cinda-Regi-Rogo-KukiclusterBuduma = YedinaBugaje = TamajeqBugel = Bujiyel, Gusu: see the Jere clusterBuhungwr = Hungw ry Bujel = Bujiyel, Gusu: see the Jere clusterBuji member of the Jere clusterBujial = Bujiyel dialect of Gusu: see the Jere clusterBujiyel dialect of Gusu: see the Jere cluster

54. Bu-Ningkada cluster1.A Jidda, Ibut2.B Nakare3. Nasarawa State, Akwanga LGA5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Ninzic6. Jida, Abu, Raga (dialect of Abu)Source(s) Blench (1980, 1999)

54.a Bu 54.b Ningkada

55. Bukwen3. Taraba State, near Takum5. BenueCongo: South Bantoid: BeboidSource(s) Koops (1971), Blench (1992)

Bukuma = Ogbr nuagmBuli member of the Polci cluster

56. Bumaji3. Cross River State, Obudu LGA5. BenueCongo: Unclassified: Bendi

m SouthCentral dialect ofzn: j cluster

Bunborawa = Bambaro: see the Lame clusterBungnu = MbongnoBunu = Mbongno


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Bunu = Ribina: see the Jera clusterBunu = dialect of YorubaBununu (Jarawan) = Gingwak: see the Jar clusterBura see BuraPabir

57. BuraPabir1.A Bourrah, Burra, Babir, Babur1.B Mya Bura1.C Two peoples with one language: the Bura and thePabir2.A Kwojeffa, Huve, Huviya3. Borno State, Biu and AskiraUba LGAs4. 72,200 (1952 W&B), 250,000 (1987 UBS)5. Chadic: BiuMandara branch A: BuraHigi majorgroup: Bura group6. Bura Pela (Hill Bura), Bura Hyil Hawul (PlainsBura)7. mimeo Dictionary (1959, 1962); Expandeddictionary 2009 posted on internet8. Scripture Portions from 1925, New Testament1950, revised 1987; Old Testament translation in progress, hymnbook13. Extensive literacy materials16. Sign language (Blench 2004)Source(s) Warren (2005); Blench (2009)Refs. Newman (1977); Hoffmann (1987)

58. Burak1.B yuuurak pl. yeleuurak1.C nyuw rk

2.A Yele2.C Shongom [name of an LGA]3. Gombe State, Shongom LGA, Burak town. 25villages.4. 4,000 (1992 est.)5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: Bikwin group6. Tadam is a village speaking a highly distinctiveform of the language7. Reading and Writing Book (2008)8. Luke ready for printing11. Cassettes for book of LukeSource(s) Kleinewillinghfer (1992); Blench (2008)Refs. Jungraithmayr (19689: 202)

59. Bure1.B BuBure1.C Bure2.B Bure3. Bauchi State, Darazo LGA4. A single village southeast of Darazo town5. Chadic: West branch A: BoleNgas major group:Bole groupSource(s) Leger (1992)

Buregi = Regi: see the Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki cluster

Burgu = BaatnunBurkunawa = MburkuBurma = Boghom

Burom = BoghomBur g = RogoBurra = Bura: see BuraPabirBurrum = Boghom

60. Buru2.A Buru3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA, east of Baissa: avillage near Batu5. BenueCongo: South Bantoid: unclassifiedSource(s) Koops (1971), Blench (1990)Refs. Temple (1922)

Burumawa = Boghom

61. Busa cluster 1.A Boussa1.C sg. Busa, pl. Busano2.B Busagwe, Busanse, Boussanse, Busanci3. Kwara State; Niger State, Borgu LGA; Kebbi State,Bagudo LGA; also in Benin Republic4. 11,000 in Nigeria (1952 W&B); 50,000 in Nigeria,50,000 in Benin (1987 UBS)5. NigerCongo: Mande: Southeast Mande7. Read and Write Busanci, 1971, Riddle Book, 19768. Mark, Titus 1970 in Bokobaru, hymnbook 1972,Boko New Testament 1984Source(s) Refs. Prost (1945); Wedekind (1972); Ross (19xx)*Busa

1.B Bs 1.C sg. Busa, pl. Busano2.A Bussa, Boussa3. Niger State, Borgu LGA. Busa town9. Dictionary; Ross (2004)* Bokobaru1.B Zogbeya1.C sg. Busa, pl. Busano2.B Kaama, Zogbme, Zugweya2.C Kaiama3. Kwara State. Kaiama town and surroundingvillages4. 30-40,000 (est. 2004)9. Dictionary; Ross (2004)*Boko1.B Boo1.C Boko3. Niger State, Borgu LGA. NikkiKande area, BeninRepublic.4. 120,000 all populations (2004 est.)7. 2 trial primers and 1 postprimer 1970, 1972 inBokobaru; literacy programmes in progress inBokobaru and Boko in Benin Republic8. Mark, Titus 1970 in Bokobaru, hymnbook 1972, New Testament 1984

9. Dictionary; Ross (2004)Busagwe = Busa


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Busano = BusaBusanse = BusaBuseni = Biseni: member of the j Inland cluster: j clusterBusgmuk = SagamukBushama = Shama: ShamaSambugu clusterBusi member of the Obanliku clusterBussa = BusaButa = Gamo: see the GamoNingi clusterBute = VuteButu = Gamo: see the GamoNingi clusterButura (DaffoButura) member of Ron clusterBuu = Zaranda: the Geji clusterBuwane = DiriBuzu = TamajeqBwagira dialect of BanaBwal = Bwol: see the Kofyar clusterBwazza member of the MbulaBwazza clusterBwr = RinBwol member of the Kofyar cluster

/

aiile =ileaaraawaa =arawaalo = Baliankal = Zhr: see the Jar clusterarawa a term covering the Das, Geji, Polci, Saya,Zari and Zeem clusters.

62. eele1.A Bele1.B el1.C bh el sg., el pl.2.B Bellawa3. Bauchi State4. 120 Temple (1922); a few villages5. Chadic: West branch A: BoleNgas major group:Bole groupRefs. Schuh (1978)

ele =eele

63. ena1.A Ebina, Binna, Gbinna1.B Ebna1.Cna2.A Lala (not recommended), Purra (general term fornorthernna)2.B Yungur, Yangur2.C Yungirba, Yungur3. Adamawa State, Song and Guyuk LGAs4. 44,300 (1963) probably including Lala and Roba;less than 100,000 (1990 est.)5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: Yungur group

6.na is divided into seventeen clans each of whichis said to have a distinct speechform, although theseare too close to be properly called dialects

Source(s) Blench (1983/90); Kleinwillinghfer(1992)Refs. Meek (1931)

na =ena and also used as an autonymn by theLala, Roba and Voro

64. ile1.A Bille, Bili, Bilanci1.B Kun il1.Cail3. Adamawa State, Numan LGA, 25km south of Numan, east of the Wukari road.4. 30,000 (CAPRO, 1992); there are 36 villagesreported to be whollyile-speaking and another 16where someile is spoken5. BenueCongo: Bantu; Jarawan Bantu6. Kun il is said to be intercomprehensible withMbula10. Hausa, Fulfulde, English are widely used secondlanguages11.iile is still widely used but code-switching withHausa is common among the youth12. Occasional television and radio broadcasts fromYolaSource(s) Blench (1990); Kleinewillinghfer (1992);Rueck et al. (2009)Refs. Maddieson and Williamson (1975); CAPRO(1992)

oye (Korom Boye) = Kulerem SouthEastern dialect ofznuurak = Burakwaare (also Kwaa waare) = Bacama: see the Batacluster

C.

Cagere = Rin

65. CakfemMushere*Cakfem1.A Chakfem, Chokfem3. Plateau State, Mangu LGA4. 5,000 (SIL)5. Chadic: West Branch A36. Jajura*Mushere1.A Mushere3. Plateau State, Mangu LGA4. About thirteen villages5. Chadic: West Branch A36. Mushere is divided into two sharply differentdialects, plus Kadim spoken in a single village7. Some literacy work underwaySource(s) Agabus (p.c.)Calabar = Efik


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Cala = RonCalaCala = LelaCamMwana = Dijim: DijimBwilimCamajere = RinCamo = member of the KuduCamo clusterCancara = Kyan Kyar: a dialect of GwandaraCansu = Rin

66. Cara 1.A Chara, Nfachara, Fakara, Pakara, Fachara, Terea,Teria, Terri, Tariya3. Plateau State, Bassa LGA4. 735 (1936 HDG); 5000 (Blench 2012). Ninevillages5. BenueCongo: Plateau: BeromicSource(s) : Blench & Nengel (2012)Refs. Shimizu (1975c)

Caundu dialect of RinCen Berom = Berom

67. Cen Tuum1.B Centm1.C Centm2.C Jalab, Jaab Dijim names3. Balanga LGA, Gombe State. Cham town.4. A small number of old people among the Dijimspeak this language5. Language isolate10. All speakers are fluent in Dijim

11. Moribund.Source(s) Kleinewillinghfer (1992, 2010)

Central: see Idoma Central, Idoma; Igbo Central,Igbo; NupeCentral, NupeCeriya (nya Ceriya) dialect of LongudaCesu = ArumCesuChaari = Danshe: the Zeem clusterChakfem = Cakfem: see CakfemMushereChalla = RonChamMwana = DijimBwilimChamba Daka = Samba DakaChamba Leko = Samba LekoChamMwona = DijimBwilimChamo member of the KuduCamo clusterChara = CaraChawai = AtsamChawe = AtsamChawi = Atsam

68. Che1.A Ce1.B Kuche1.C Bache

2.A Rukuba2.B Sale, Inchazi3. Plateau State, Bassa LGA

4. 15,600 (1936 HDG); 50,000 (1973 SIL)5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Ninzic8. Mark 1924, John 19319. Draft dictionary online;Source(s) Wilson (1993); Blench (2005)Refs. Hoffman (n.d.)

Cheke = Gu eChekiri = IkiriChessu = ArumCesuChibak = CibakChibbuk = CibakChikide = Cikide: see GudufChilala = LelaChip = MishipChiwa = nextChoa = Shuwa: see the Arabic clusterChobba = HubaChokfem = Cakfem: see CakfemMushereChokobo = ZoraChomo = ComoKarimChonge = KushiChori see Cori

69. Cibak 1.A Chibak, Chibuk, Chibbuk, Chibbak, Kyibaku,Kibaku1.C Cb $k, Kikuk3. Borno State, Damboa LGA, south of Damboa town4. 20,000 (1973 SIL)

5. Chadic: BiuMandara branch A: BuraHigi majorgroup: Bura groupSource(s) Refs. Temple (1922: 568), Hoffmann (1955b:118,1987), Newman (1977), Kraft (1981)

ciBaangi = Baangi: see the Kambari I clusterCibbo = TsoboCicipu = CipuCikide dialect of GudufCikobu = ZoraCilela = Lela

70. Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki cluster2.C Kamuku3. Niger State, Chanchagga, Rafi and Mariga LGAs5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Western Kainji: KamukugroupSource(s) Blench (1987); Regnier (1992)*Cinda1.A Jinda, Majinda1.B Tucind 1.C sg. Bucind pl. Cind 3. Niger State, Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs,Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGA

6. Oxford Primary Maths 1 (1988?)Source(s) Blench (1987); Spencer (2008)*Regi


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1.B Turegi1.C sg. Buregi pl. Regi3. Niger State, Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs,Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGASource(s) Blench (1987); Spencer (2008)*Kuki1.A Tiyar [town name not a language]1.B TuKuki1.C BuKuki pl. Kuki2.A Kamuku3. Niger State, Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs,Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGA6. Azana, AkubyarSource(s)*Kwacika ()1.B Tukwacika1.C sg. Bukwacika pl. Kwacika3. Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGA4. There was only one old speaker in the 1980s so thelanguage is almost certainly extinctSource(s) Blench (2008)*Kwagere3. Niger State, Chanchagga, Rafi and Mariga LGAsSource(s) Blench (1987); Spencer (2008)*Rogo1.B TR g 1.C BR g sg. R g pl.2.C Ucanja Kamuku3. Niger State, Rafi and Kusheriki LGAs, aroundUcanja town, 30 km northwest of Kagara.

5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Western Kainji: Kamuku Basa groupSource(s) Blench (1987); Regnier (1992)

Cineni = Cinene

71. Cinene 1.A Cinene1.C Cinene3. Borno State, Gwoza LGA, east of Gwoza town inthe mountains. Five villages.4. 3200 (Kim 2001)5. Chadic: BiuMandara branch A:Mandara/Mafa/Sukur major group: Mandara groupSource(s) Refs. Wolff (197475: 205; 1974: 23); Kraft (1981);Kim (2001)

72. Cipu 1.B Cicipu1.C Tocipu2.A Acipa, Achipa, Achipawa, Atsipawa2.B Tc p Tochipo T Sgmuk2.C Bucepo sg., Uc po pl. BuSgmuk sg.3. Kebbi State, Sakaba LGA; Niger State, Mariga and

Rafi LGA, Kaduna State Birnin Gwari LGA4. 3,600 (1949 G&C)

5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Western Kainji: Kambaricluster6. Kumbashi, Tikula, Ticihun, Tirisino, Tidipo,Tizoriyo, TiddodimoSource(s) Blench (1987); Regnier (1992); McGill(2007)Refs. Temple (1922); (1949 G&C)

Cishingini = nextCishingyini = Cishingini: see the Kambari I clusterCip = MishipCirimba dialect of Longuda

73. Ciwogai 1.A Tsagu2.B Sago, Tsaganci3. Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs4. 3,000 (1977 Skinner)5. Chadic: West subbranch B: Bade/Warji group:Warji groupRefs. Skinner (1977)

Clela = LelaClela = Lela

74. ComoKarim 1.A Shomoh, Shomong, Chomo, Shomo2.A Karim, Kirim2.B Kiyu, Nuadhu3. Taraba State, Karim Lamido and Jalingo LGAs

5. BenueCongo: Benue: Jukunoid: Central Jukunoid:Wurbo cluster

75. Cori 1.A Chori3. Kaduna State, Jemaa LGA4. A single village and associated hamlets5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Hyamic7. Grammar (Dihoff 197x)Source(s) Blench (1990)

Cumween =ween: see the Fali cluster

D.

Da Holmaci = Holma: see the NzanyiHolma cluster

76. Daba1.B Daba3. Adamawa State, Mubi LGA. Between Mubi andBahuli4. A single village, less than 1,000. Mostly inCameroun5. Central Chadic: West Central group: Daba group

8. Scripture Portions from 1984, New Testament in progress


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Dadia = DadiyaDadira = Dadiya

77. Dadiya1.A Nda Dia, Dadia1.B Bwe Daddiya pl. Daddiyab1.C Nyy Daddiya3. Gombe State, Balanga LGA, Taraba State, KarimLamido LGA and Adamawa State, Lamurde LGA.Between Dadiya and Bambam.4. 3,986 (1961), 20,000 (1992 est.).5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: Waja groupSource(s) Kleinewillinghfer (1992); Blench (2008)Refs. Jungraithmayr (1968/69)

Daffa = DaffoButura dialect of RonDaffoButura dialect of RonDagara dialect of Kanuri: KanuriKanembuDaja member of Akpes clusterDaka = Samba DakaDaka = DirimDakarkari = LelaDakkarkari = LelaDakwa dialect of KamweDala: see DulumiDalong = PaiDama = BeteBendiDama = Nama: see the Mbembe (Tigong) cluster

78. Damakawa

1.A Damakawa2.C Tidamaun (Cicipu name)3. Kebbi State, Sakaba LGA, villages of Inguwar Kiloand Marandu4. 500-1000 ethnic population, but language now hasonly a few rememberers5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Western Kainji: Kambaricluster. N.B. the dubious reliability of some of thedata and the possibility of Cipu loans makes theclassification of Damakawa slightly uncertain.10. Speakers have now switched to cLela as theirmother tongue11. Damakawa is moribund and only remains asisolated words and phrases remembered by a fewindividualsSource: McGill (2008)

Dampar member of the Kororofa clusterDamti = Gomme: see the Koma clusterDml see the Jar clusterDandawa = DendiDanshe member of the Zeem clusterD Sh = Shoo: see the ShooMindaNye clusterDaroro = Kacicere: see the Katab cluster

79. Das cluster2.Carawa3. Bauchi State, Toro and Dass LGAs

4. 8,830 (LA 1971)5. Chadic: West branch B: Zaar group*Lukshi1.B Dkshi4. 1,130 (LA 1971)*DurrBaraza1.B Bandas3. Bauchi State, Das LGA, Durr and Baraza villages4. 4,700 (LA 1971); 30-40,000 (Caron 2005)*Zumbul1.A Boodl 2.C Zumbulawa, Dumbulawa3. Bauchi State, Das LGA, Zumbul town4. See WandiRefs. Temple (1922)*Wandi1.A Wangday3. Bauchi State, Das LGA, Wandi town4. 700 (including Zumbul) (LA 1971)*Dot1.A Dwat1.B Zo i1.C shr m zo i2.A Dott3. South of Bauchi on the Dass road4. 2,300 (LA 1971); a single large village. 37,582(local census 2003). Seven wards (of eleven) speakZo i10. Hausa11. The language borrows heavily from Hausa (25%

of lexical entries) and for this reason appears to bethriving rather than speakers switching to HausaRefs. Caron (2002)

Dat = Dot: see the Das clusterDaza = Teda

80. Daza1.A Daza3. Bauchi State, Darazo LGA4. a few villages5. Chadic: West branch A: BoleNgas major group:(no data)Refs. Schuh (1978)

Dede dialect of Nzanyi

81. Defaka1.B Defaka1.C Defaka2.B Afakani3. Rivers State, Bonny LGA, ward of Nk r town andwma Nk r 4. ca. 200 [n.b. competence levels vary]5. AtlanticCongo: VoltaCongo: Ijoid

10. Speakers are fluent in Nk r 11. Highly endangeredSource(s); Connell (2007)


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Refs. Jenewari (1983); Williamson (1988, 2000)

82. Degema1.A Dgma2.A Atala, Usokun2.B (Udekama not recommended)3. Rivers State, Degema LGA4. 10,000 (SIL)5. BenueCongo: Edoid: Delta Edoid6. Atala, spoken in Degema town, and Usokun spokenin UsokunDegema.7. Reading and Writing Book 1966 Rivers ReadingProject Reader I and Numerals.8. Draft dictionary; Kari (n.d.)Source(s)Refs. Thomas & Williamson (1967), Thomas (19xx);Kari (various)

Dehoxde = Dghwe eDele (nya Dele) dialect of LongudaDelebe dialect of LongudaDemsa dialect of BataDesa member of the Lamja-Desa-Tola cluster

83. Dendi1.C Dandi2.C Dandawa3. Kebbi State, Argungu and Bagudo LGAs; mostly inBenin Republic, and Niger4. 839 in Nigeria (1925 Meek); 21,000 in Benin (1980

CNL); 10,000 in Niger5. NiloSaharan: SonghaiRefs. Tersis (1968)

Deng = Daka

84. Deno3. Bauchi State, Darazo LGA; 45 km northeast ofBauchi town4. 9,900 (LA 1971)5. Chadic: West branch A: BoleNgas major group:Bole groupRefs. Gowers (1907); Schuh (1978)

85. Dera1.B Bo Dera1.C na Dera sg., Dera pl.2.A Kanakuru3. Adamawa State, Shellen LGA; Borno State, ShaniLGA4. 11,300 (W&B)5. Chadic: West subbranch A: BoleNgas majorgroup: Bole group6. Shani, Shellen and Gasi8. Mark and Scripture portions, 1937Source(s) Blench (1992)Refs. Newman (1977)

Dknu = GwamhiWuriDkshi = Lukshi: see the Das clusterDmak = Doemak: see the Kofyar clusterDghwede = Dghwe eDghw = Dghwe e

86. Dghwe e1.A Dghwede, Hude, Johode, Dehoxde, Tghuade,Toghwede, Traude1.B Dghw 2.B Azaghvana, Waa, Zaghvana3. Borno State, Gwoza LGA4. 19,000 (1963), 7,900 (TR 1970), 30,000 (1980UBS)5. Chadic: BiuMandara A: Mandara group8. New Testament 19809. Phonology; Frick (1978)Source(s) Kosack (n.d.)Refs. Wolff (1971a)Dia (Nda Dia) = Dadiya

87. Dibo1.B Dibo1.C Dibo2.B Shitako, Zitako, Zhitako2.C Ganagawa, Ganagana3. Niger State, Lapai LGA; Federal Capital Territory; Nasarawa State, Nassarawa LGA4. 18,200 (1931 DF); estimate more than 100,000

(1990) an unknown number of Dibo living amongthe Gbari no longer speak their own language.Source(s) Blench (1990)

Diir = Dir: see the Polci cluster

88. DijimBwilim3. Gombe State, Balanga LGA, Adamawa State,Lamurde LGA4. 7,545 (1968). ca. 20 villages5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: Waja group7. Orthography based on Dijim lect. Reading &Writing Book (2006)8. Gospel of Luke ready for printing11. Cassettes of Gospel of LukeSource(s) Kleinewillinghfer (1991)Refs. Jungraithmayr (1968/9)*Dijim1.B Dijim1.C sg Ni Dj pl. Djm2.A Cham, Cam, Kindiyo,4. Cham 3,257.7.*Bwilim1.B Bwilm

1.C sg Ni Bwil pl. Bwilm2.A Mwana, Mwona [Hausa name], Fitilai [villagename]


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4. 4,282

Diko dialect of GbagyiDim = Adim: see the Agwagwune clusterDimmuk = Doemak: see the Kofyar clusterDindiga = Bendeghe: see the Ejagham clusterDingai = LalaDingi = DunguDir member of the Polci cluster

89. Diri1.A Diriya, Dirya1.B Sago, Tsagu2.B Diryanci2.C Buwane, Diryawa3. Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs4. 3,750 (LA 1971)5. Chadic: West subbranch B: Bade/Warji group:Warji groupRefs. Skinner (1977)

90. Dirim1.C Daka3. Taraba State, Bali LGA, Garba Chede area: noteformer map location erroneous4. 9,000 (CAPRO, 1992)5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Northern Bantoid: Dakoid6. Doubts persist as to whether this language is reallyseparate from Samba Daka (q.v.)Refs. Meek (1931), CAPRO (1992)

Diriya = DiriDirya = DiriDiryanci = DiriDjerma = ZarmaDjiri = RopDjo = j Dlge = nextDlige dialect of Lamang Central: see the LamangclusterDoemak member of the Kofyar clusterDoka dialect of MishipDoka cf. Idon-Doka-Makyali

91. DokoUyanga1.B Dsanga1.C Basanga2.A Iko3. Cross River State, Akamkpa LGA4. Several towns5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: UpperCross: EastWest groupRefs. Cook (1969, 1976), Simmons (1976)

Dokshi = Lushi: see the Zeem cluster

olli dialect of KwaamiDoma dialect of Alago

92. Dong3. Taraba State, Zing and Mayo Belwa LGAs. At leastsix villages4. ca. 20,0005. BenueCongo: DakoidSource(s) Blench (1993) Refs. Shimizu (1979: 18,65), CAPRO (1992:87-89)

Donga dialect of KpanDonga dialect of Jukun of TakumDoobe = Ndera: see the Koma clusterDook see GuruntumMbaaruDoome = Ndera: see the Koma clusterDr see the Jar clusterDorofi dialect of NorDsanga = DokoUyangaDoso = Mingang DosoDos = Mingang DosoDot member of the Das clusterDrwa = Jar clusterDekiri = IkiriDu dialect of BeromDuguranci see Jar cluster-DuguriDugurawa see Jar cluster-DuguriDuguri, Duguranci, Dugurawa name of severaldialects in the Jar clusterDugusa = TunzuDuka = HunDukanci = Hun

Duku (Wa Duku) dialect of Bacama: see the BataclusterDukuri = Duguri: the Jar cluster

93. Dulbu3. Bauchi State, Bauchi LGA4. 80 (LA 1971)5. BenueCongo: Bantu: Jarawan Lbr groupRefs. Shimizu (1983)

Dulumi Population 1000, (Mundu and Dala):Gospel Recordings (1971, 1974)Dumawa Small community Bauchi State: BauchiLGA: Dumi village: Temple (1922: 100); Campbelland Hoskison fieldnotes (1969)Dumbulawa = Zumbul; see Das cluster; possiblydialect of Zhar: Jar clusterDungerawa = Duguri: see the Jar clusterDungi = Dungu

94. Dungu1.A Dungi, Dingi, Dwingi, Dunjawa3. Kaduna State, Saminaka LGA4. 310 (NAT 1949)5. BenueCongo: Kainji: Eastern Kainji: Northern Jos

group: Kauru subgroupDunjawa = Dungu


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Durlong Nasarawa State, Lafia LGA, Jungwa, Namu and Njok. Possibly a dialect of Goemai: CarlHoffmann (n.d.); Bergman & Dancy (1966)DurrBaraza member of the Das clusterDurop = K r pDutse (Jarawan Dutse) = IzereDuurum = GerumaDuwai =uwaiDwat = Dot: see the Das clusterDwingi = DunguDyarma = nextDyerma = Zarma

95. Dza1.A Dza, Ja1.B nnwa Dz1.C dz, dz2.A Jenjo, Janjo, Jen,3. Taraba State, Karim Lamido LGA and AdamawaState, Numan LGA. Along the Benue River.4. 6,100 (1952). N.B. Figures for Dza may includeother Jen groups such as Joole and Tha (q.v.)5. AdamawaUbangi: Adamawa: Jen groupSource(s) Blench (1987); Kleinewillinghfer (1992)

Dzar member of the Hyam clusterDzr u (Margi Dzr u) dialect of Margi

96. Dzodinka2.A Adiri, Adere

3. Taraba State, Sardauna LGA; also in Cameroon: asingle village on the border5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid:Grasslands Bantu: East8. Mark, 1923, John 1932Refs. Dieu & Renaud (1983)

Dzuuba = nextDzuua dialect of Zaladva: see the Lamang clusterDzuwo an unclassified Wurkum group of TarabaState, Karim Lamido LGA

97. uwai1.A Duwai1.CL vji2.B Eastern Bade3. Borno State, Bade LGA5. Chadic: West Branch B: Bade/Warji major group:Bade groupSource(s) Schuh (2007)

East see: East Boki, Bokyi; East Gwari, Gbagyi;EastOgbah, Ogbah; Mbe East, MbeEastern see: Hausa (Kano, Katagum, Hadejiya

areas); Eastern Olodiama,zn; Eastern Tarakiri,zn; Mbube Eastern, Utugwang; j EasternEbna =ena

Ebe = AsuEbeteng = Ehom: see the AkpetEhom clusterEbina =ena

98. Ebira cluster1.A Igbirra, Igbira, Egbira, Egbura3. Kwara State, Okene, Okehi, and Kogi LGAs; Nasarawa State, Nassarawa LGA; Edo State, Akoko Edo LGA4. 154,500 (1952 P.Bruns), 500,000 (1980 UBS);about 1M (1989 Adive)5. BenueCongo: Nupoid: Ebira clusterRefs. Blench (1989)*Okene3. Kwara State, Okene, Okehi, and Kogi LGAs7. Reading and Writing Book 1972, Preprimer 19733 Primers 19723, 3 postPrimers 1974; Official Orthography 19858. Matthew 1891, John 1960, Christmas story 1972,Easter story 1972, John 1970, New Testament 1984Refs. Scholz & Scholz (1972); Scholz (1976); Adive(1989)*Etuno1.A tn 2.C Igara3. Edo State, AkokoEdo LGA, Igara townRefs. Ladefoged (1964)*Koto2.C Igu (Egu, Ika, Bira, Bir , Panda3. Nasarawa State, Nassarawa LGA, Toto and

Umaisha towns, Kogi State, Bassa LGARefs. Sterk (1977)

Ebode = next bode member of the Lala clusterEboh = Aboh: see thekwuan AbohNdn clusterEboze = Buji: see the Jere clusterb dialect of Igala

99. Ebughu1.B Ebughu1.C Ebughu2.A Oron3. Akwa Ibom State, Mbo and Oron LGAs4. more than 5,000 (1988)5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: LowerCross:Refs. Connell (1991)

Eche EchieEchie dialect of Igbod = YorubaEdiba = KohumonoEdiro dialect of Engenni


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100. do1.A Oviedo, Ovioba2.A Benin2.Bdo (Bin 3. Edo State, Ovia, Oredo and Orhionmwon LGAs4. 203,000 (1952), 1,000,000 (1987 UBS)5. BenueCongo: Edoid: NorthCentral Edoid i.7. Various readers, including set of 16, (1987);Dictionaries (1937, 1986); Official Orthography8. Scripture portions from 1914; New Testament1981; Old Testament in preparation (1989 UBS)Refs. Melzian (1937); Agheyisi (1986); UBS (1989);Elugbe (1989)

Edzu = Abawa: see GupaAbawadz = nextj = Dza

101. Efai1.B Efai2.B Effiat (from Efik)3. Akwa Ibom State, Mbo LGA; Cameroon Republic,Isangele subdivision4. >5,000 (1988 est.)5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: LowerCross:Refs. Connell (1991)

Effiat = EfaiEffium = Ufiom: see the Oring cluster

Effurum = Uvbi Effurun = Uvbi Efifa Yoruba dialectEfim = Ufiom: see the Oring cluster

102. Efik 2.A Calabar3. Cross River State, Calabar municipality, Odukpaniand Akamkpa LGAs; and in Cameroon4. 26,300 (1950 F&J), 10,000 in Cameroon; 360,000first language speakers; spoken as a second language by 1.3 million (UN 1960), 3.5 million (1986 UBS)diminishing5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: LowerCross: Central group7. Literary language; Official Orthography8. Bible 1868, reprinted 1952/62/64, Scripture portions from 1850, Catechism 1956, second draft ofnew New Testament in progress (1989 UBS)Source(s) Connell (1991)Refs. Dictionaries: Goldie (1862), Adams (1952/3);Goldie (1868) grammar; UBS (1989); further bibliography in Cook (1985)

Efutop = Bakor

gb dialect of Yorubagbado = YorubaEgbe dialect of Mbe West: see the Mbe cluster

gb = Mbe West: see MbeEgbedna dialect of IkwereEgbema dialect of IgboEgbema dialect ofzn: j clusterEgbira = EbiraEgbura = EbiraEgede = IgedeEgedde = Igedegn = Engenni

103. Eggon1.A Egon1.B onumu Egon1.C Mo Egon2.B Mada Eggon, Hill Mada3. Nasarawa State, Akwanga, NassarawaEggon andLafia LGAs4. 52,000 (Welmers 1971)5. BenueCongo: Plateau: Eggonic6. 25 dialects are locally recognised although thestatus of these is unclear7. 2 readers8. New Testament 1975, Scripture portions from1935, hymnbookSource(s): Blench (1992)Refs: Anon. (1940) Dictionary; Gerhardt (1983)

Eghom = Okom: see MbembeEgnih = East Ogbah: a dialect of OgbahEgon = Eggon

Egu = Igu: see EbiraEgun = GbeEhom member of the AkpetEhom cluster

104. Ehu un 2.Akpenmi, Ekpimi, Epimi3. Ondo State, Akoko South LGA4. 5,766 (1963)5. BenueCongo: Edoid: NorthWestern Edoid ii.

Ejagam = Ejagham: see the Ejagham cluster

105. Ejagham cluster2.C Ekoi (Efik name)3. Cross River State, Akamkpa, Ikom, Odukpani andCalabar LGAs, and in Cameroon4. 80,000 total: 45,000 in Nigeria, 35,000 inCameroon (1982 SIL)5. BenueCongo: Bantoid: Southern Bantoid: EkoidBantu6. 5 dialects in Nigeria, 4 in CameroonRefs. Watters (1981)*Bendeghe1.A Bindege, Bindiga, Dindiga2.B Mbuma

3. Cross River State, Ikom LGA*Etung North2.A Icuatai


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3. Cross River State, Ikom LGA4. 13,900 (1963)7. Reading and Writing Book 1966, Tortoise Stories1969, Folk Stories 19698. Stories of Abraham 1969*Etung South3. Cross River State, Ikom and Akamkpa LGAs4. 4,200 (1963)*Ejagham2.B Ekwe, Ejagam, Akamkpa3. Cross River State, Akamkpa LGA and in Cameroon7. Primers 13 1969, EnglishEjaghamFrenchVocabulary 1970, folktales 1981, 1985 (Cameroon)8. New Testament in preparation in Cameroon*Ekin2.A Qua, Kwa, Aqua2.B Abakpa3. Cross River State, Odukpani and Calabar LGAs4. 900 active adult males (194445): bilingual in Efik(Cook 1969b)Refs. Forde and Jones (1950), Cook (1969b)

Ejar see the Tinor-Myamya clusterEkajuk BakorEkama dialect of MbembeEkamtulufu = NdeEket = Ekit

106. Eki1.B Eki

3. Cross River State4. 5000 plus (1988)5. BenueCongo: Cross River: DeltaCross: LowerCross: (no data) dialect of Efik?Refs. Connell (1991)

Ekid = EketEkin member of the Ejagham cluster

107. Ekit1.A Ekid, Eket3. Akwa Ibom State, Eket and Uquo Ibeno LGAs4. 22,000 (1952 W&B); estimated 200,000 (1989)5

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