ManyuExpo IS YOUR ONE STOP SITE FOR THE  LATEST, MOST COMPLETE, MOST RELIABLE ANALYSIS, NEWS, INFORMATION AND DATA  ABOUT MANYU

LANGUAGES

Thou Shalt Know Thy Manyu Indigenous Languages

Compiled by: Martin Arrey Eno

Sources: Summer Institute of Linguistics

Many of us are familiar with the slogan: “Cameroon - Africa in Miniature”. This slogan is also true of Manyu Division. From a geographic and linguistic perspective one can safely say, “Manyu is Cameroon in Miniature”.

In terms of geography, Manyu Division starts from the grassland and rolling hills of Obudu in Akwaya sub division, stretches to the dense Equatorial rain forest (Korup Forest Reserve) in Eyumojock subdivision, rises to the Mbio hills (mountain) in Upper Banyang subdivision and descends into the great plains/valley of the Manyu River and Ossidinge depression in Mamfe Central and Eyumojock subdivisions respectively.

Linguistically, Manyu Division is a melting pot of Biblical proportions, a veritable tower of Babel. Of the 279 living indigenous languages spoken in Cameroon, 16 of them are indigenous to Manyu Division. In other words 6% of Cameroon languages are of Manyu origin. The following is a list of indigenous Manyu Languages:

BALO

Where Spoken: Akwaya Subdivision.

BOKYI

Where Spoken: Along the Nigerian border northwest of Mamfe and Akwaya subdivisions. Also spoken in Cross River state of Nigeria. Alternate Names: Boki, Byoki, Nki, Uki, Nfua, Osikom, Osukam, Vaaneroki. Dialects: Basua, Boki, Iruan, Bashua, Baswo.

CAKA

Where Spoken: Asaka, Basaka and Batanga villages in Akwaya Subdivision. Dialects: Assaka (Adzu Balaka), Batanga (Adzu Batanga).

DENYA

Where Spoken: Central and southern parts of Akwaya subdivision and northern part of Mamfe Central subdivision. Partially in Takamanda Forest Reserve. Alternate Names: Anyang, Agnang, Anyan, Anyah, Eyan, Takamanda, Obonya, Nyang. Dialects: Basho, Bitieku, Takamanda, and Bajwo.

EJAGHAM

Where Spoken: The whole of Eyumojock subdivision and southern part of Mamfe Central subdivision. Also spoken in Cross River State of Nigeria. Alternate Names: Ejaham, Ekoi, Etung, Ekwe, Edjagam, Keaka, Kwa, Obang, Eeafeng, Ejagam. Dialects: Western Ejagham, Eastern Ejagham, Southern Ejagham (Ekin, Kwa, Qua, Aqua, Abakpa).

EMAN

Where Spoken: Towns of Amayo, Amanavil, Akalabo and Akalam Gomo in Akwya Subdivision. Alternate Name: Emane, Dialects: Amayo, Amanavil (Aman, Amana, Amani, Elaka).

EVANT

Where Spoken: Atolo and Matene 1 villages in Akwaya Subdivision. Alternate Names: Evand, Avand, Avande, Ovande, Ovand, Ovando, Balegete, Belegete.

IPULO

Where Spoken: South East of Akwaya Subdivision. Alternate Names: Assumbo, Asumbo, Badzumbo. Dialects: Olulu, Tinta, Etongo.

IYIVE

Where Spoken: Yive village, northeast of Akwaya on the Nigerian border. Also spoken in Cross River state of Nigeria. Alternate Names: Uive, Yiive.

KENDEM

Where Spoken: Kendem and Bokwa villages east of Mamfe in Mamfe Central Subdivision. Alternate Name: Bokwa-Kendem.

KENYANG

Where Spoken: Around and Southwest of Mamfe, Mamfe Central subdivision, Northeast of Eyumojock subdivision, Upper Banyang Subdivision, Eastern corner of Nguti subdivision. Alternate Names: Nyang, Bayangi, Banyang, Banyangi, Banjangi, Manyang. Dialects: Upper Kenyang, Lower Kenyang, Bakoni (Upper Balong, Northern Balong, Manyemen, Kicwe, Kitwii, twii, Manyeman).

THE ETHNO-LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY OF MANYU DIVISION: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

By Frida Ayukmbu-Besong.

Email: Fbesong@ManyuExpo.com

Introduction:

Language is like a braided river - starting some place, wandering, branching, meandering, and sometimes recombining through a linguistic landscape. As we travel the language river backwards in time, seeking her source in the area geographically delimitated as present day Manyu Division, we’re always on the same river. In fact, Manyuland as is said is the real proverbial linguistic Tower of Babel, with about 16 languages spoken by the three main ethnic groups of Anyang, Banyang and Ejagham. Because of their geographic location and close proximity to other ethnic groups, Manyu tribes developed several dialects and, eventually, multi languages some of which have died out. In fact, Manyu can be said to be the linguistic melting pot of Africa; of the 500 languages spoken all over the continent; there are 16 branches of the language river whose ultimate headwaters are in Manyuland. These languages are all of the Ekoi main group and are interwoven and similar.