Page Type: languageBamun | Ethnologue

BAX ISO 639-3

Bamun

Shüpamom Autonym

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639
bax
Alternate Names
Bamoum, Bamoun, Bamum, Shupamem
Autonym
Shüpamom
Population
420,000 (2005 SIL). Based on actual population of the subdivisions where the Bamun people are present, as of the official 2005 census (2014 C. Hamm).
Location:
Centre region: border areas; North West region: Ngo-Ketunjia division, north Lake Bamendjing on Ndop plain; West region: southeast Bamboutos division, north Mifi division, Noun division, Foumban area.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Originated in the high western grasslands of Cameroon with capital at Foumban, a town in Northwest Cameroon.
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Wide Grassfields, Narrow Grassfields, Mbam-Nkam, Nun
Dialects
None known. Related to Bafanji [bfj], Bamali [bbq], Bambalang [bmo], and Bangolan [bgj].
Language Use
Most also use French [fra], especially among the Bamun who live in the Centre and West Regions. A few also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. A few also use English [eng], especially among the Bamun who live in the NorthWest Region. A few also use Standard Arabic [arb]. Used as L2 by Ghomálá’ [bbj], Medumba [byv], Mengaka [xmg], Tikar [tik].
Language Development
Grammar. Bible: 1988.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bamun
Writing
Bamum script [Bamu], taught in schools until 1930s. Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Centre region: border areas; North West region: Ngo-Ketunjia division, north Lake Bamendjing on Ndop plain; West region: southeast Bamboutos division, north Mifi division, Noun division, Foumban area.