Page Type: languageBulu | Ethnologue

BUM ISO 639-3

Bulu

Bulu Autonym

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639
bum
Alternate Names
Boulou
Autonym
Bulu
Population
1,658,000, all users. L1 users: 858,000 (2007). L2 users: 800,000 (1991 UBS).
Location:
Centre region: southern Upper Sanaga division, northern Nyong-and-Mfoumou division; East region: western tip Upper Nyong division; South region: northern Mvila and Dja-and-Lobo divisions, into Océan division.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Migrated in 1883 from Nubia, between southern Egypt and central Sudan, and settled in the Centre Province of Cameroon. Spread through the work of Protestant missionaries who chose it as a church language in 1887 and established Bulu schools at many locations. Used in church, commerce, and education. Currenlty used as LWC throughout much of the South region and some in the East.
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Ewondo-Fang (A.74)
Dialects
Yelinda, Yembana, Yengono, Bene. Intelligible with Eton [eto], Ewondo [ewo], and Fang [fan] in Beti group.
Language Use
Most also use Ewondo [ewo]. Most also use French [fra], mostly for official purposes in the Centre, East, and South Regions. Many also use Eton [etn]. A few also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. A few also use English [eng]. A few also use Yasa [yko]. Used as L2 by Batanga [bnm], Elip [ekm], Gyele [gyi], Kol [biw], Kwasio [nmg], Mmaala [mmu], Swo [sox], Yangben [yav], Yasa [yko].
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1940–2004.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bulu
Writing
Latin script [Latn].

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Centre region: southern Upper Sanaga division, northern Nyong-and-Mfoumou division; East region: western tip Upper Nyong division; South region: northern Mvila and Dja-and-Lobo divisions, into Océan division.