North Bauchi languages

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 Chadic West Chadic North Bauchi
Proto-language	Proto-North Bauchi
Glottolog	west2712
West Chadic per Newman (1977)

Main Chadic-speaking peoples in Nigeria

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]

• Pa'a
• Warji
• Diri
• Ciwogai
• Kariya (Vinahə)
• Mburku
• Miya
• Siri
• Zumbun (Jimbin)
• Ajawa (†)

Names and locations

Below 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

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

Antelopes

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

1. Skinner, Neil A. 1977. North Bauchi Chadic languages. Afroasiatic Linguistics, 4/1:1-49.
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.

 This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 3.0 license.