Kainji languages
Subfamily of Benue–Congo languages of west-central Nigeria
The Kainji languages are a group of about 60 related languages spoken in west-central Nigeria . They form part of the Central Nigerian (Platoid) branch of Benue–Congo .
Demographics
Four of the most widely spoken Kainji languages are Tsuvadi (150,000), Cishingini and Tsishingini (100,000 each)—all from the Kambari branch; and Clela (C'lela, Lela) (100,000), of the Northwest Kainji branch. In total, there were about one million speakers of Kainji languages (1990s estimate) in Nigeria .
History
Proto-Kainji is estimated by Blench (2012) to be 3,000 to 4,000 years old. Its broken distribution today is likely due to the historical northward expansion of the Nupoid languages .[ 1]
Morphology
Proto-Kainji nominal prefixes:[ 2]
*mV- for liquids and other mass nouns
*u- for person, *ba- for people
*kV- for diminutive and perhaps also augmentative; also found in some Plateau languages
Classification
The most divergent of the Kainji languages are Reshe , Laru and Lopa , which may form a branch together. Subclassification of the other branches is not yet clear. A bipartite division between East Kainji and West Kainji is no longer maintained, with West Kainji now being paraphyletic .
Blench (2018)
Most recent Kainji classification by Blench (2018:64):[ 2]
Blench (2012)
Blench's (2012) classification is:[ 1]
McGill (2012)
A revised classification of the Kainji languages by McGill (2012) splits Kainji into the Lake and Central branches.[ 3]
Gerhardt (1983)
Classification of Plateau 1a (now West Kainji) and Plateau 1b (now East Kainji) languages by Gerhardt (1983),[ 4] based on Maddieson (1972):[ 5]
Plateau 1a
Laru-Lopa
Reshe
Kambari cluster
Ngwoi, Kamuku cluster, Bassa-Kontagora, Ashaganna
Bassa-Kaduna, Bassa-Kuta, Gurmana, Pongo, Baushi, Ura, Bassa-Kwomu
Dakarkari, Duka, Pəku-Kəri-Wipsi cluster, Lyase
Plateau 1b
Kuda-Chamo, Butu-Ningi, Gyema, Taura, Lemoro-Sanga, Janji, Shani, Buji-Ibunu-Jere-Gus, Anaguta
Kuzamaini, Kurama, Rumaya, Ruruma, Binawa, Kono, Surubu
Kaivi, Kiballo, Kitimi, Kinuku, Dungi, Gure-Kahugu
Amo
Names and locations
Below is a comprehensive list of Kainji language names, populations, and locations from Blench (2019).[ 6]
Note: West Kainji is geographical rather than genealogical.
East Kainji
West Kainji
Language
Branch
Cluster
Dialects
Alternate spellings
Own name for language
Endonym (s)
Other names (location-based)
Other names for language
Exonym (s)
Speakers
Location(s)
Notes
Hɨpɨna
Baushi
Supana
Tihɨpɨna
Vihɨpɨna pl. Ahɨpɨna
Niger State , Rafi LGA, Supana town
Mɨn
Baushi
Tiimɨn
Vʷinyi Mɨn pl. Ayi Mɨn
Bauchi Guda, Kukoki (name of largest town)
Niger State , Rafi LGA, 27 villages in 8 chiefships
Ndәkә
Baushi
Shena may be a dialect
Madaka
Tundәkә
Vundәkә pl. Andәka
Niger State , Rafi LGA, Madaka town
Rubu
Baushi
Niger State , Rafi LGA, Rubu town
Wãyã
Baushi
Wayam
Tũwãyã
Vũwãyã pl. Ãwãyã
Niger State , Rafi and Shiroro LGAs, Wayam town
Samburu
Baushi
Niger State , Rafi LGA, Samburu town
no data
Gurmana
Eastern
estimated more than 3,000 (1989)
Niger State , Shiroro LGA. Gurmana town and nearby hamlets
Cipu
Kambari
Kumbashi, Tikula, Ticihun, Tirisino, Tidipo, Tizoriyo, Tiddodimo
Cicipu
Tocipu
Acipa, Achipa, Achipawa, Atsipawa
Tәcәp Tochipo Tә–Sәgәmuk
Bucepo sg., Ucɛpo pl. Bu–Sәgәmuk sg.
3,600 (1949 G&C)
Kebbi State , Sakaba LGA; Niger State , Mariga and Rafi LGA, Kaduna State Birnin Gwari LGA
Damakawa (extinct)
Kambari
Damakawa
Tidama’un (Cicipu name)
500-1000 ethnic population, but language now has only a few rememberers
Kebbi State , Sakaba LGA, villages of Inguwar Kilo and Marandu
The dubious reliability of some of the data and the possibility of Cipu loans makes the classification of Damakawa slightly uncertain.
Kambari I cluster
Kambari
Kambari I
Kamberi
with Kambari II: 67,000 (1952 W&B); 100,000 (1973 SIL)
Niger State , Magama and Mariga LGAs; Kebbi State , Zuru and Yauri LGAs; Niger State , Borgu LGA
Agaɗi
Kambari
Kambari I
Tsɨgaɗi
Kakihum
Niger State , Mariga LGA
Avaɗi
Kambari
Kambari I
Abadi, Evadi
Tsɨvaɗi
Ibeto
Niger State , Magama LGA
Baangi
Kambari
Kambari I
Baangi
ciBaangi
sg. vuBaangi, pl. aBaangi
Bangawa (Hausa)
estimate more than 5,000 (1989)
Niger State , Kontagora LGA, Ukata town and nearby villages; probably also into adjacent Kebbi State , Yauri LGA
Tsishingini
Kambari
Kambari I
Cishingini, Tsishingini
Mashingini pl. Ashingini
Salka
Niger State , Magama LGA
Yumu
Kambari
Kambari I
Yumu, Osisi
Niger State , Borgu LGA, at Yumu and Osisi
Kambari II cluster
Kambari
Kambari II
Kamberi
with Kambari I: 67,000 (1952 W&B); 100,000 (1973 SIL)
Niger State , Magama LGA; Kebbi State , Zuru and Yauri LGAs; Kwara State , Borgu LGA
Agaushi
Kambari
Kambari II
Cishingini
Auna
Niger State , Magama LGA; Kebbi State , Yauri LGA
Akimba
Kambari
Kambari II
Tsɨkimba
Akimba
Auna, Wara
Niger State , Rijau, Magama LGA; Kebbi State , Yauri LGA
Cishingini , Nwanci
Kambari
Kambari II
Cishingini, Ngwәci
Cishingini, Tsɨwәnci
Mawunci sg. Ŋwәnci pl.
Agwara
Agara’iwa
Niger State , Borgu, Magama LGA; Kebbi State , Yauri LGA
Zubazuba
Kamuku
Gamazuba
Igwama, Mariga LGA, Niger State
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki cluster
Kamuku
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki
Kamuku
Niger State , Chanchagga, Rafi and Mariga LGAs
Cinda
Kamuku
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki
Oxford Primary Maths 1 (1988?)
Jinda, Majinda
Tucindә
sg. Bucindә pl. Cindә
Niger State , Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs, Kaduna State , Birnin Gwari LGA
Regi
Kamuku
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki
Turegi
sg. Buregi pl. Regi
Niger State , Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs, Kaduna State , Birnin Gwari LGA
Kuki
Kamuku
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki
Azana, Akubyar
Tiyar [town name not a language]
TuKuki
BuKuki pl. Kuki
Kamuku
Niger State , Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs, Kaduna State , Birnin Gwari LGA
Kwacika (extinct)
Kamuku
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki
Tukwacika
sg. Bukwacika pl. Kwacika
There was only one elderly speaker in the 1980s; hence, it is almost certainly extinct
Kaduna State , Birnin Gwari LGA
Kwagere
Kamuku
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki
Niger State , Chanchagga, Rafi and Mariga LGAs
Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi cluster
Kamuku–Basa
Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi
Basa-Gurara
Kamuku–Basa
Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi
Basa-Kwali
Federal Capital Territory , Yaba and Kwali LGAs, along the Gurara river
Basa-Benue
Kamuku–Basa
Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi
Basa
RuBasa
TuBasa
Abacha, Abatsa
Basa-Komo, Basa-Kwomu (not recommended)
30,000 (1944-50 HDG); 100,000 (1973 SIL)
Kogi State , Bassa, and Ankpa LGAs, Nasarawa State , Nasarawa LGA
Basa-Makurdi
Kamuku–Basa
Benue State , Makurdi LGA, several villages on the north bank of the Benue, northwest of Makurdi
no data
Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora cluster (extinct?)
Kamuku–Basa
Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora (extinct?)
Basa-Gumna (extinct)
Kamuku–Basa
Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora (extinct?)
Gwadara-Basa, Basa Kuta, Basa-Kaduna
Only 2 known semi-speakers in 1987. The population known as Basawa speaks only Hausa. Probably now extinct
Niger State , Chanchaga LGA
Basa-Kontagora (extinct)
Kamuku–Basa
Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora (extinct?)
Fewer than 10 speakers in 1987. Probably now extinct
Niger State , Mariga LGA, N.E. of Kontagora
Basa-Gurmana
Kamuku–Basa
Kɔrɔmba
more than 2,000 speakers (1987)
Niger State , border of Rafi and Chanchaga LGAs, Kafin Gurmana
Rogo
Kamuku–Basa
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki
TɔRɔgɔ
BɔRɔgɔ sg. Rɔgɔ pl.
Ucanja Kamuku
Niger State , Rafi and Kusheriki LGAs, around Ucanja town, 30 km northwest of Kagara.
Fungwa
Kamuku–Basa
Tufungwa
Afungwa
Ura, Ula
900 (1949 H.D. Gunn)
Niger State , Rafi LGA, at Gulbe, Gabi Tuƙurbe, Urenciki, Ringa and Utana
Hùngwә̀ryə̀
Kamuku–Basa
Dialects: Bitbit (Kwabitu), Lәklәk (Karaku), Jinjin (Makangara), Wũswũs (Karaiya), Tәmbәrjә (Tambere)
Cәhungwә̀ryə̀, Tʷə̀hungwә̀ryə̀ [ʨə̀hungwә̀ryə̀]
Bùhùngwə̀ryə̀ sg., ə̀hùngwə̀ryə̀ pl.
Ngwoi, Ngwe, Ungwe, Ingwe, Nkwoi, Ngwai, Ungwai, Hungworo
1000 (1949 HDG), 5000 (2007 est.)
Niger State , Rafi, Kusheriki LGA, around Kagara and Maikujeri towns
Shama–Sambuga cluster
Kamuku–Basa
Shama–Sambuga
Tushama
sg. Bushama, pl. Ushama
Kamuku
Niger State , Rafi LGA
Shama
Kamuku–Basa
Shama–Sambuga
Tushama
Bushama sg. Ushama pl.
Niger State , Rafi LGA, Ushama [=Kawo] town. 15 km northwest of Kagara
Sambuga (extinct)
Kamuku–Basa
Shama–Sambuga
Possibly extinct (2008)
Niger State , Rafi LGA, Sambuga town. 10 km northwest of Kagara
Shen
Lake
Laro, Laru
Laruwa
1,000 (1992 est.)
Niger State , Borgu LGA
Rop
Lake
Lupa, Lopa
Kirikjir
Djiri
Lopawa
960 (NAT 1950); 5,000 (1992 est.)
Niger State , Borgu LGA, Kebbi State , Yauri LGA. At least 6 villages on the east shore of Kainji Lake plus two others on the western shore.
Tsupamini
Lake
Lopa
Lopanci
Lopawa
960 (NAT 1950); 5,000 (1992 est.). Global estimate with Rop
Niger State , Borgu LGA, Kebbi State , Yauri LGA. At least 6 villages on the east shore of Kainji Lake plus two others on the west shore.
Reshe
Lake
Birәmi (South), Bәmәmәdu (Northwest), Bәpalame (Northeast). Harris (1930:321) claims a ‘secret dialect’ called Tsudalupe which = Bәmәmәdu.
Tsure Ja
Tsureshe
Bareshe
Gunganci
Gungawa, Yaurawa
15,000 (1931 G&C); 30,000 (1973 SIL)
Kebbi State , Yauri LGA; Niger State , Borgu LGA
Hun–Saare
Northern
Western (sSaare) (around Dukku), Eastern (tHun) (around Rijau), Tungan Bunu
Ethun
tHun, sSaare
Hunnɛ
Duka
Dukanci
19,700 (1949 Gunn and Conant); 30,000 (1980 UBS)
Kebbi State , Sakaba LGA; Niger State , Rijau LGA
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun cluster
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
The name ut-Main has been adopted by various members of this cluster as a cover term for these languages, but whether it will be widely adopted remains to be seen.
Fakanci, Fakkanci
12,300 (1949 G&C)
Kebbi State , Zuru and Wasagu LGAs, west of Dabai
Kag
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
tKag
sg. woo Kag, pl. Kagne
Faka, Fakai (town name), Fakanci, Fakkanci
Pәku–Nu (cLela name)
Kebbi State , Zuru LGA, Mahuta and Fakai areas
Fer
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
tFer
sg. wasFer, pl. asFer
Kukum Wipsi–Ni (cLela name)
Kebbi State , Zuru LGA, around Kukum town
Jiәr
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
tJiәr
sg. wauJiәr, pl. aJiәr
Gelanci Serim
Gelawa, Geeri–ni
Kebbi State , Zuru LGA, around Bajidda; Rijau LGA, Niger State
Kәr
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
tKәr
sg. wauKәr, pl. Kәrne
Kela, Adoma Kelanci Kilinci
Keri–Ni Kelawa
Kebbi State , Zuru and Wasagu LGAs, north of Mahuta but south of the Kag river
Koor
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
t–ma–Koor
sg. wauKoor, pl. aKoor
Kebbi State , Zuru LGA, around Bakara
Ror
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
Dialect used for language development
ǝt–ma–Ror
sg. wauRor, pl. aRor
Tudawa d–Gwan
Kebbi State , Zuru LGA around Birnin Tudu
Us
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
Us have no specific dialect but speak like the Ror
tUs
sg. wauUs, pl. aUs, asUs
Kebbi State , Zuru LGA, west of Fakai
Zuksun
Northern
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun
tZuksun
sg. wauZuksun, pl. aZuksun
Zusu Wipsi–ni
Kebbi State , Zuru LGA around Tungan Kuka, south of Fakai
Wuri-Gwamhyә–Mba
Northern
Gwamfi
wa–Gwamhi sg. a–Gwamhi pl. and wa–Wuri sg. a–Wuri pl.
Banganci
Lyase–ne Dәknu Bangawa for Gwamhi
Two peoples with one language
Kebbi State , Wasagu LGA; Gwamhi around Danko town and Wuri around Maga town
The term Wurkum is applied to the Kyak, Banda, Kulung, Kwonci, Maghdi, Kholok, Mingang, Pero, Piya, and Nyam group, several of which remain to be investigated.
cLela
Northwestern
Zuru, Ribah
cLela (Clela, C–Lela), Lelna
Kәlela sg., Lelna pl.
Chilala Dakarci
Lalawa, Dakarkari, Dakkarkari, Kalla–Kalla, Cala–Cala
47,000 (1949 G&C); 69,000 (1971 Welmers)
Kebbi State , Zuru, Sakaba and Wasagu LGAs; Niger State , Rijau LGA. Around Zuru town
Rin
Shiroro
Awәgә is sometimes classified as a dialect of Rin, but it may in fact be a distinct but vanishing language spoken by one Rin clan.
Tә̀rĩ́, Tarin
sg. Bùrĩ,́ pl. Arĩ ́
Arringeu, Pongu, Pongo, Pangu
3,675 (1949 HDG); >20,000 (1988)
Niger State , Rafi LGA, near Tegina
Despite the indigenous name, forms of Pangu are preferred by the community for publications purposes.
Numerals
Comparison of numerals in individual languages:[ 7]
Classification
Language
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Western, Reshe
Reshe (Tsureshe)
tsúnnɛ̀
rìsə̄
tàtswā
nāʃẽ́
tɔ̃̄
tēnzɔ̄
tànsã̄
dálànzɔ̀
tānāʃẽ́
úpwà
Western, Basa
Bassa
hĩn
jèbí
tàtɔ
néʃì
táná
tʃìhin
tʃéndʒe
tɔndatɔ
tʃíndʒìʃì
uḿpwá
Western, Duka
C'lela
tʃĩ́
ʔílɨ̀
tɨ́ːt͡ʃù
náːsé
tã́
t͡ʃíhĩ̀
tã̀ʔílɨ̀ (5 + 2)
jɨ́ːɾù
dóːɾè
ʔóːpá
Western, Duka
ut-Ma'in
tʃɘ̄ːn
jɘ̄ːr
tɘ̄t
náːs
tán
ʃìʃìn
tàʔèr (5 + 2) ?
éːr
dʒʷɘ̄ːr
ɔ̄p
Western, Kambari
Tsishingini (Kambari)
íyyán
ìɾɛ̀
tàʔàtsú
nə́ʃín
táːwún
tə̀ːlí
tʃìndɛ̀ɾɛ́
kùnlə̀
kùttʃí
kùppá
Western, Kamuku
Western Acipa (Cicipu)
tôː
jápù
tâːtù
nósì
tã̂u
tóɾíhĩ̀
tíndàjà
kùrílːò
kùtítːí
ùkúpːà
Western, Kamuku
Cinda (Kamuku)
ĩ́jɑ́
ⁿdə́ɰə̀
tɑ́tɔ̀
nə́ʃì
tɑ́ɑ̀
tə́nə́hì
tə́ndə́ɰə̀
tə́ntɑ́tɔ̀
tə́ndə́ʃì
òpɑ́
Western, Kamuku
Fungwa (Cifungwa)
ń / biké
jógò
tátù
nɔ́ʃì
tá
tʃíjĩ̀
tĩ́dòlò
tĩ́dátù
tĩ́díʃì
húpɛ́
Western, Kamuku
Hungworo (Hungwere)
ĩ́ːjə̃́
ʔʲə̃̂d͡ʒə̀
tât̼ɔ̀
ùnə́sĩ̀
sàtá
ūt̼únìhĩ̄
ūtə́ndə̀ɾʲə̄
ūtátàt̼ɔ̄ (2 x 4) ?
ūtə́nə̀sĩ̄
īkópʲè
Western, Kamuku
Pongu (Pangu)
hĩ́ː
ɾêːnù
tâːtù
nə̃́ːʃĩ̀
tá
tʃíníhì
tə̃́ndə́ɾə̀
tə̃́ndáːtù
tṹndúʃì
úpwá
Eastern, Northern Jos, Jera
Anaguta (Iguta)
dínkā
rɛ̀ːpú
tààrū / tàːrū
nàːnzī
ʃùːbì
twàːsì
súnāːrí
ùrū
tɔ̀rbɔ̀
būtúːrú
Eastern, Northern Jos, Kauru
Gure (Gbiri-Niraɡu)
pi:ʃem
piːbɑː
piːtær
piːnɑːz
piːʃiː
piːtæ ʃi
piːsundæriː
piːkunæs
piːturuːriː
kiʃiːæbɑː / nikpiːrinætʃeti
Eastern, Northern Jos, Kauru
Kurama (Akurmi)
nìdíi
tɨɽyá
tɨtáaɽɔ
tɨnáazɛ
úʃii
útasɛ
úsúndèɽì
úɽiɽé
ùtáɽá
níkúɽí
References
^ a b Blench, Roger (2012). "The Kainji languages of northwestern and central Nigeria" (PDF) . Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
^ a b Blench, Roger M. 2018. Nominal affixing in the Kainji languages of northwestern and central Nigeria. In John R. Watters (ed.), East Benue-Congo: Nouns, pronouns, and verbs, 59–106. Berlin: Language Science Press. doi :10.5281/zenodo.1314323
^ McGill, Stuart. 2012. The Kainji languages. Ms, School of Oriental and African Studies, London, 30 August 2012.
^ Gerhardt, Ludwig. 1983. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Sprachen des Nigerianischen Plateaus . Glückstadt: Verlag J. J. Augustin.
^ Maddieson, Ian. 1972. The Benue-Congo Languages of Nigeria . Sheet 1 and 2: Plateau . Mimeographed paper. Ibadan.
^ a b Blench, Roger (2019). An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (4th ed.). Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
^ Chan, Eugene (2019). "The Niger-Congo Language Phylum" . Numeral Systems of the World's Languages.
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