Jahanka

A language of Guinea

ISO 639: jad
Alternate Names: Diakanka, Diakhanke, Diakkanke, Dyakanke, Jahanque, Jahonque, Jaxanka
Population: 137,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 137,500.
Location:: Boké region: central Gaoual prefecture, more than 60 villages on Tamine river upper reaches between Boké and Sangea towns.
Language Status: 6a* (Vigorous).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding
Dialects: Jahanka in Gambia may be same language, or a dialect of Western Maninkakan [mlq]. Jahanka in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau is a dialect of Western Maninkakan [mlq]. Lexical similarity: 75% with Mandinka [mnk].
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Jahanka
Writing: Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab].
Other Comments: Reportedly came from Mali in 18th century and trace their origins to Soninke [snk], but now speak a separate language. Muslim.

Mali

Location: Kayes region: Kéniéba circle, Kofoulabé, a few other villages.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. Reportedly originated in Mali. Origins traced to Soninke [snk], but now speak a separate language. Muslim.

Location: Boké region: central Gaoual prefecture, more than 60 villages on Tamine river upper reaches between Boké and Sangea towns.