Page Type: languageBacama | Ethnologue

BCY ISO 639-3

Bacama

Ɓwaare Autonym

A language of Nigeria

ISO 639
bcy
Alternate Names
Abacama, Bacama-Bwatiye, Bachama, Bashama, Bashamma, Besema, Bwaatye, Bwareba, Bwatiye, Gboare, Kwaa–Ɓwaare
Autonym
Ɓwaare
Population
304,000 (2020).
Location:
Adamawa state: Lamurde, Numan, Demsa, Guyuk, Girei, Yola North and Yola South LGAs; Kaduna state: northeast of Kaduna town; Kogi state: confluence of Benue and Niger rivers.
Language Status
5* (Developing).
Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, Biu-Mandara, A, A.8
Dialects
Mulyen (Mulwyin, Mwulyin), Opalo (Opolo), Wa-Duku, Central Bwatiye (Demsa, Demsa Bata). In Bata dialect subgroup. Bacama and Central Bwatiye [bcy] 54%–68% of non-riverine Bata [bta] dialects (Furo and Song); Upriver dialects have contact with downriver dialects due to fishing practices. Lexical similarity: Bacama [bcy] 89% with Central Bwatiye [bcy], 81% with Njoboliyo [bta], 86% with Furo [bta], 84% with Song Bata [bta].
Language Use
All also use Hausa [hau]. Some also use Adamawa Fulfulde [fub]. Used as L2 by Bali [bcn], Kpasham [pbn], Kwa [kwb], Mbula-Bwazza [mbu].
Language Development
New orthography being introduced so not many readers yet. Newspapers. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bacama
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Bacama fishermen migrate long distances down the Benue River with camps as far as the confluence. Bacama are joined with the Bata [bta] in the Bwaatye Association. Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Adamawa state: Lamurde, Numan, Demsa, Guyuk, Girei, Yola North and Yola South LGAs; Kaduna state: northeast of Kaduna town; Kogi state: confluence of Benue and Niger rivers.