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.
| 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 |
| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | west2712 |
 West Chadic per Newman (1977) | |
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
editThe North Bauchi languages are:[3]
Names and locations
editBelow is a comprehensive list of North Bauchi language names, populations, and locations from Blench (2019).[4]
| Language | Cluster | Dialects | Alternate spellings | Own name for language | Endonym(s) | Other names (based on location) | Other names for language | Exonym(s) | Speakers | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciwogai | Tsagu | Sago, Tsaganci | 3,000 (1977 Skinner) | Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs | ||||||
| Diri | Diriya, Dirya | Sago, Tsagu | Diryanci | Buwane, Diryawa | 3,750 (LA 1971) | Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs | ||||
| Kariya | Two dialects | Kauyawa, Keriya | Vinahә | Wihә | Lipkawa (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, Afa | FuCaka | sg. FuCiki, pl. Foni | Paʼanci | Faʼawa, Afawa | 8,500 (LA 1971); 20,000 (Skinner, 1977) | Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs | |||
| Siri | Siri | Siryanci | 2,000 (LA 1971); 3,000 (1977 Skinner) | Bauchi State, Darazo and Ningi LGAs | ||||||
| Warji | Gala (?) | Sәrzakwai, Sirzakwai | Sar | Sarawa | 28,000 (LA 1971); 50,000 (Skinner, 1977) | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, Ganjuwa district, and Ningi LGA, Warji district; Jigawa State, Birnin Kudu LGA | ||||
| Mburku | Barko, Barke | Vә Mvәran | Mburkanci | Burkunawa, Lipkawa (see also Kariya) | 210 (1949–50); 4,000 (1977 Skinner) | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA | ||||
| Miya | Muya | Vәne Mi | Miyawa | 5,200 (LA 1971) | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, Ganjuwa district. Miya town and associated hamlets | |||||
| Zumbun | Wudufu (possible dialect) | Jimbin | Vina Zumbun | 1,500 (LA 1971) | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA |
Reconstruction
edit| Proto-North Bauchi | |
|---|---|
| Proto-Warji | |
| Reconstruction of | North Bauchi languages |
Proto-North Bauchi (Proto-Warji) quasi-reconstructions by Roger Blench (2012):[2]
- Trees
| Scientific name | English name | Proto-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 |
| Scientific name | English name | Proto-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 name | English name | Proto-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 name | Proto-North Bauchi |
|---|---|
| chicken | #ɬərkəyi |
| cow | #yəruwa |
| he-goat | #aʧikyə |
| sheep | #tumakway |
- Liquids
| English name | Proto-North Bauchi |
|---|---|
| beer | #təɬana |
| honey | #suƙwana |
| oil | #ʃivəna |
References
edit- ^ Skinner, Neil A. 1977. North Bauchi Chadic languages. Afroasiatic Linguistics, 4/1:1-49.
- ^ a b Blench, Roger. 2012. Linguistic and cultural background to the North Bauchi region and the Wiihə people.
- ^ Blench, Roger. 2006. The Afro-Asiatic Languages: Classification and Reference List (ms)
- ^ Blench, Roger (2019). An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (4th ed.). Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
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