Page Type: languageYaka | Ethnologue

AXK ISO 639-3

Yaka

Yaâkâ Autonym

A language of Central African Republic

ISO 639
axk
Alternate Names
Aka, Beká, Nyoyaka, Pygmée de Mongoumba, Pygmée de la Lobaye, Pygmées de la Sanghas, “Babinga” (pej.), “Bambenga” (pej.)
Autonym
Yaâkâ
Population
15,000 in Central African Republic (1996). Total users in all countries: 30,000.
Location:
Lobaye prefecture: Mbaïki and Mongoumba subprefectures, forest along Congo border; Sangha-Mbaéré prefecture: Bambio and Nola subprefectures.
Language Status
5* (Developing).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, C, Ngondi (C.104)
Dialects
Beka (Bayaka, Gbayaka, Moyaka), Nzari.
Language Use
As speakers come out of the forest, they are shifting to Sango [sag]. Most also use Sango [sag].
Language Development
Dictionary. Bible portions: 2003–2007.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Yaka
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Different from Baka [bkc], which is Ubangi. Pygmies. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Aka
User Population
15,000 in Congo (Cavalli-Sforza 1986).
Location
Cuvette, Likouala, and Sangha departments.
Dialects
Basese (Eastern Aka), Bambenzele (Western Aka).
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Mraka (sg.), Beka (pl.). Different from the Baka [bkc] language of Cameroon and Gabon, which is Ubangi. Possibly more than one pygmy language in Congo. Nomadic. Pygmies. Traditional religion.
View other languages of Congo

Map

Location: Lobaye prefecture: Mbaïki and Mongoumba subprefectures, forest along Congo border; Sangha-Mbaéré prefecture: Bambio and Nola subprefectures.