North Bauchi languages

Last updated
North Bauchi
Warji; B.2 West Chadic
Geographic
distribution
Darazo and Ningi LGAs, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Linguistic classification Afro-Asiatic
Proto-language Proto-North Bauchi
Glottolog west2712
West Chadic Languages.jpg
West Chadic per Newman (1977)
Main Chadic-speaking peoples in Nigeria Afro asiatic peoples nigeria.png
Main Chadic-speaking peoples in Nigeria

The North Bauchi languages (also called the B.2 West Chadic or Warji languages) are a branch of West Chadic languages that are spoken in Bauchi State, northern Nigeria.

Contents

An extensive survey of the North Bauchi (Warji) languages had been done by Skinner (1977). [1]

Culturally, North Bauchi language speakers are unique for their chestharp, a fusion of the arched harp with the chest bow. [2]

Languages

The North Bauchi languages are: [3]

Names and locations

Below is a comprehensive list of North Bauchi language names, populations, and locations from Blench (2019). [4]

LanguageClusterDialectsAlternate spellingsOwn name for language Endonym(s)Other names (based on location)Other names for language Exonym(s)SpeakersLocation(s)
Ciwogai TsaguSago, Tsaganci3,000 (1977 Skinner) Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs
Diri Diriya, DiryaSago, TsaguDiryanciBuwane, Diryawa3,750 (LA 1971) Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs
Kariya Two dialectsKauyawa, KeriyaVinahәWihәLipkawa (see also Mburku)2,200 (LA 1971); 3,000 (1977 Skinner) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA. At Kariya Wuro, 30 S.E. of Ningi.
Paʼa Paha, AfaFuCakasg. FuCiki, pl. FoniPaʼanciFaʼawa, Afawa8,500 (LA 1971); 20,000 (Skinner, 1977) Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs
Siri SiriSiryanci2,000 (LA 1971); 3,000 (1977 Skinner) Bauchi State, Darazo and Ningi LGAs
Warji Gala (?)Sәrzakwai, SirzakwaiSarSarawa28,000 (LA 1971); 50,000 (Skinner, 1977) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, Ganjuwa district, and Ningi LGA, Warji district; Jigawa State, Birnin Kudu LGA
Mburku Barko, BarkeVә MvәranMburkanciBurkunawa, Lipkawa (see also Kariya)210 (1949–50); 4,000 (1977 Skinner) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA
Miya MuyaVәne MiMiyawa5,200 (LA 1971) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, Ganjuwa district. Miya town and associated hamlets
Zumbun Wudufu (possible dialect)JimbinVina Zumbun1,500 (LA 1971) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA

Reconstruction

Proto-North Bauchi
Proto-Warji
Reconstruction ofNorth Bauchi languages

Proto-North Bauchi (Proto-Warji) quasi-reconstructions by Roger Blench (2012): [2]

Trees
Scientific nameEnglish nameProto-North Bauchi
Faidherbia albida whitethorn#atasay
Acacia sieberiana paperbark acacia #malaliya
Khaya senegalensis African mahogany #kwamay
Zizyphus sp. jujube #akwaya
Ficus sp. fig #tirini
Bombax buonopozense silk cotton #zəŋgwa
Antelopes
Scientific nameEnglish nameProto-North Bauchi
Tragelaphus scriptus bushbuck #badakəla
Gazella rufifrons red-fronted gazelle #tambəra
Alcelaphus buselaphus hartebeest #zəmakwara
Ourebia ourebi oribi #ndagway
Redunca redunca reedbuck #gəlafi
Crops
Scientific nameEnglish nameProto-North Bauchi
Vigna subterranea Bambara groundnut #azuwey
Sorghum bicolor guinea corn #ʒuna
Pennisetum typhoideum millet (gero)#gyəla
Pennisetum typhoideum millet (maiwa)#marday
Abelmoschus esculentus okra #tagway
Solanum spp. garden egg #akintə
Livestock
English nameProto-North Bauchi
chicken#ɬərkəyi
cow#yəruwa
he-goat#aʧikyə
sheep#tumakway
Liquids
English nameProto-North Bauchi
beer#təɬana
honey#suƙwana
oil#ʃivəna

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References

  1. Skinner, Neil A. 1977. North Bauchi Chadic languages. Afroasiatic Linguistics, 4/1:1-49.
  2. 1 2 Blench, Roger. 2012. Linguistic and cultural background to the North Bauchi region and the Wiihə people .
  3. Blench, Roger. 2006. The Afro-Asiatic Languages: Classification and Reference List (ms)
  4. Blench, Roger (2019). An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (4th ed.). Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.

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