La'bi language

Last updated
La'bi
Native to Cameroon
Native speakers
None [1]
4,400 L2 speakers (2006) [1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3 lbi
Glottolog labi1244

La'bi is the esoteric ritual language of male initiation among the Gbaya Kara, the Mbum, and some Sara Laka, in the area of Touboro near where the CAR, Chad, and Cameroon meet. It has no native speakers. It is related to Mbum, with substantial loans from one or more Sara languages. [1] [2]

A word list of is given in Periquet (1915). [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 La'bi at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)
  2. Yves Moñino, 1977. "Conceptions du monde et langue d'initiation la'bi de Gbaya-Kara", Langages et cultures africaines, Paris, Maspero.
  3. Periquet, Louis. 1915. Rapport général sur la mission de délimitation Afrique Équatoriale Française-Cameroun (1912-1913-1914). Tome III, Vocabulaires. Paris: Ministère de colonies.