Biu–Mandara languages facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Biu–Mandara
Central Chadic
Geographic distribution:	Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon
Linguistic classification:	Afro-Asiatic Chadic Biu–Mandara
Subdivisions:	South Hurza North

The Biu–Mandara, or Central Chadic, languages are a branch of Chadic languages. They are spoken in Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon. The most spoken is Kamwe.

Branches

Blench (2006) organizes them like this:

• Tera (A.1): Tera, Pidlimdi (Hinna), Jara, Ga'anda, Gabin, Boga, Ngwaba, Hwana
• Bura–Higi
  • Bura (A.2): Bura-Pabir (Bura), Cibak (Kyibaku), Nggwahyi, Huba (Kilba), Putai (Marghi West), Marghi Central (Margi, Margi Babal), Marghi South
  • ? Kofa
  • Higi (A.3): Kamwə (Psikyɛ, Higi), Bana, Hya, ? Kirya-Konzəl
• Wandala–Mafa
  • Wandala (Mandara) (A.4)
    • East: Wandala (Mura, Mandara, Malgwa), Glavda (Gəlvaxdaxa)
    • Parəkwa (Podoko)
    • West: Gəvoko, Guduf-Gava (Cineni), Dghweɗe, Hdi (Xədi, Hedi, Tur), Lamang, Woga, Vemgo, Mabas
    • Sukur (Sakwun, A.6)
  • Mafa (A.5)
    • Northeast Mafa: Vame (Pəlasla), Mbuko, Gaduwa
    • Matal (Muktele)
    • South Mafa
      • (a) Wuzlam (Ouldémé), Muyang, Maɗa, Məlokwo
      • (b) Zəlgwa-Minew, Gemzek, Ɗugwor, Mikere, Merey
      • (c) North Giziga, South Giziga, North Mofu, Mofu-Gudur (South Mofu), Baldemu (Mbazlam)
      • (d) Cuvok, Mafa, Mefele, Shügule
• Daba (A.7)
  • North Daba: Buwal (Gadala), Gavar (Kortchi)
  • South Daba: Mina (Besleri, Hina), Daba (Mazagway), Mbədam
• Bata (Gbwata) (A.8): Bacama, Bata (Gbwata), Sharwa, Tsuvan, Gude, Fali of Mubi, Zizilivakan (Ulan Mazhilvən, Fali of Jilbu), Jimi (Jimjimən), Gudu, Holma (†), Nzanyi
• Mandage (Kotoko) (B.1)
  • South Mandage: Msər (Kousseri), Lagwan (Logone)
  • ? Jilbe
  • North Mandage: Afaɗə, Maslam, Malgbe (Gulfey), Mpadə
• Buduma (Yedina)
• East–Central
  • Gidar (Kaɗa)
  • Munjuk (B.2): Mbara, Muskum (Muzuk) (†), Mpus, Beege (Jafga), Vulum (Mulwi)
  • Mida'a (< B.1): Jina, Majəra

Images for kids

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  Main Chadic-speaking peoples in Nigeria.

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  Newman 1977