Wamey | Ethnologue

A language of Senegal

ISO 639: cou
Alternate Names: Conhague, Coniagui, Koniagui, Konyagi, Wamay, Wamei
Autonym: Wameỹ
Population: 25,400 in Senegal (2017), decreasing. Total users in all countries: 50,200.
Location:: Kédougou region; a few in Tambacounda region; scattered along Guinea border.
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda
Language Use: Mixed attitudes, from positive among older people to more neutral among the young. Most also use Pulaar [fuc]. 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: Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2018.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Wamey
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: All other ethnic groups consider Wamey too difficult to learn. Traditional religion, Christian.

Guinea

Location: Boké region: Koundara prefecture, Youkounkoun-Koundara area, to Senegal border; small border area in Gaoual prefecture, south bank, Tamine river.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments: Nomadic. Over 3,000 migrate from Guinea to Senegal annually; many stay longer. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.

Location: Kédougou region; a few in Tambacounda region; scattered along Guinea border.