Page Type: languageBaka | Ethnologue

BKC ISO 639-3

Baka

baka Autonym

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639
bkc
Alternate Names
Bebayaga, Bebayaka, Bibaya, Pygmees Baka, Pygmees de l’Est, “Babinga” (pej.)
Autonym
baka
Population
40,000 in Cameroon (2007 Y. Léonard). 15,000 monolinguals. Mainly women. Ethnic population: 40,000. Total users in all countries: 43,200.
Location:
East region: Boumba, Kadey, Ngoko, and Upper Nyong divisions; South region: Dja-and-Lobo division.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Adamawa-Ubangi, Ubangi, Sere-Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka, Western, Baka-Gundi
Language Use
The Baka, being pygmies, are held in low esteem by the Bantus. East Region population increase among all language groups and Baka sedentism increase bilingualism. Most domains, including home, education, and forest. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use French [fra], especially with outsiders and also in schools. Some also use Koonzime [ozm]. Some also use Njyem [njy]. A few also use Makaa [mcp].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 5% in French [fra]. In small, dispersed villages, which makes literacy difficult. Taught in primary schools. Used in 3 villages. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1996.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Baka
Writing
Latin script [Latn], not used in Gabon.
Other Comments
Semi-nomadic but encouraged by the government to settle along roadways. Different from Baka of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan and from the Aka [soh] (Baaka, Bayaka, Biyaka). Although similar in culture, they are different in language. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Baka
User Population
3,200 in Gabon (1990 CMA).
Location
Ogooué-Ivindo province: Bélinga, Makokou; Woleu-Ntem province: Minvoul. All along Cameroon border.
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Babinga, ‘Pygmy’ is used for the Baka, Yaka [axk], and Gyele [gyi] Pygmy languages. Dispersed in small groups. Nomadic. Traditional religion.
View other languages of Gabon

Map

Location: East region: Boumba, Kadey, Ngoko, and Upper Nyong divisions; South region: Dja-and-Lobo division.