Oniyan | Ethnologue

A language of Senegal

ISO 639: bsc
Alternate Names: Ayan, Basari, Bassari, Bassari-Tanda, Biyan, Onian, Onëyan, Tenda Basari, Wo
Autonym: Oniyan
Population: 18,200 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 31,200.
Location:: Kédougou and Tambacounda regions: border areas.
Language Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 987 of 21 October).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda
Dialects: Ane, Këd, Oxalac.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Wolof [wol], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication (Sarr and Thiaw 2012). Some also use French [fra], as the language of education and government (Diouf et al 2017).
Language Development: Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2011–2016.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Oniyan
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Often identified by the majority population as Bassari. Tenda is a cover term for Oniyan [bsc], Badyara [pbp], Wamey [cou], and Ménik [tnr]. High mortality rate. Women intermarry with men from Fulbe and other groups; children become part of the other group. Trading is carried on with the Fulbe. Traditional religion, Christian.

Guinea

Location: Boké region: Gaoual prefecture; Labe region: Mali prefecture; border area northwest of Touba town, some northeast corner.
Dialects: Southern Bassari.
Language Status: 5 (Developing)
Other Comments: Matrilineal. Traditional religion, Muslim.

Guinea-Bissau

Location: Kédougou and Tambacounda regions: border areas.