1,380,000 (1995). Gabonese Republic. République Gabonaise. Literacy rate 70% to 77%; 29% (1977 C. M. Brann). Also includes from Lebanon 1,000, 12% of the population is from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and West Africa (1993). Information mainly from Jacquot 1978, SIL 1982, Ruhlen 1987, R. Bowman CMA 1991. Data accuracy estimate: A2, B. Christian, traditional religion, Muslim. Blind population 1,300 (1982 WCE). The number of languages listed for Gabon is 40.
BAKA (BABINGA) [BKC] 3,200 in Gabon (1990 CMA); 25,000 in Cameroon (1980 Phillips); 28,200 in all countries. Johnstone 1993 says 1.3% of the population are Pygmy, or 17,940. Cameroon border area. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Adamawa-Ubangi, Ubangi, Sere-Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka, Western, Baka-Gundi. 'Babinga' is used for the Baka, Aka, and Gieli; separate Pygmy languages; it means 'Pygmy'. The name 'Aka' may not be used in Gabon. Dispersed in small groups. Nomadic. Tropical forest. Hunter-gatherers, fishermen. Traditional religion. Work in progress.
BARAMA (GIBARAMA, GHIBARAMA, BAVARAMA, YIBARAMBU) [BBG] 6,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue Maritime Province, east of Omboue. Nyanga Province, west of Moabi. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40). The people are called 'Yibarambu'. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
BEKWEL (BAKWELE, BAKWIL, BEKWIL, BEKWIE) [BKW] 8,000 to 16,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Extreme northeast corner, Ogooue Ivindo Province, northeast of Mekambo. Primarily in Congo. Also Cameroon. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Makaa-Njem (A.80). Different from Bakwiri (Mokpwe) of Cameroon. Forest. Traditional religion, Christian. Work in progress.
BENGA [BEN] (3,000 in Equatorial Guinea; 1995). North of Libreville. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Bube-Benga (A.30). Bible 1898. NT 1871-1893. Bible portions 1858-1929.
BUBI (BHUBHI, IBUBI, IBHUBHI, POVE, EVIIA) [BUW] 5,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo Province, west of Koulamoutou, between M'Bigou and N'djolé. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30). Speakers are reported to understand Getsogo. They are called 'Bapove'. Distinct from the Bubi dialect of Kele, and from Bube of Equatorial Guinea. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
BWISI (IBWISI, MBWISI) [BWZ] Far south, Nyanga Province, Ndende area on the border with Congo. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40). Different from Talinga-Bwisi of Zaïre and Uganda. Survey needed.
DUMA (LIDUMA, ADUMA, DOUMA, ADOUMA, BADOUMA) [DMA] 7,000 to 10,000 (1990 CMA). Upper Ogooue Province, Franceville area near Lastourville. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50). They can understand Njebi. Survey needed.
FANG (PAMUE, PAHOUIN, PANGWE) [FNG] 427,000 in Gabon (1993 Johnstone), 29% of population (1982 Barrett); 350,000 or more in Equatorial Guinea (1995); 67,800 in Cameroon; 12,900 in São Tomé (1993 Johnstone); a few in Congo; 858,000 in all countries. Northwest, Estuary and Woleu-Ntem Provinces. Also in Equatorial Guinea, Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Yaunde-Fang (A.70). Dialects: MAKE, NTUM, OGOWE. Close to Bulu. Bible 1951. NT 1927. Bible portions 1894-1938.
FRENCH [FRN] 37,500 in Gabon (1993 Johnstone); 72,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Romance. The only language of formal education. National language. Bible 1530-1986. NT 1474-1980. Bible portions 1483-1987.
KANDE (KANDA, OKANDE) [KBS] 1,000 or fewer (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Ivindo Province, west of Booue. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30). The people are called 'Okande'. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
KANINGI (LEKANINGI, BAKANIKE) [KZO] 6,000 (1990 CMA). Upper Ogooue Province, south of Franceville. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60). Traditional religion. Survey needed.
KÉLÉ (AKELE, DIKELE, WESTERN KELE) [KEB] 15,000 to 24,000 in all countries (1990 CMA); 4,000 in Bubi (1977 Voegelin and Voegelin). 136,000 all Kele languages in Gabon (1993 Johnstone). Scattered groups in or near Middle Ogooue Province, around Mimongo. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Dialects: BUBI, WESTERN KELE. Not the same as Lokele of Zaïre. Closely related to Ngom. Also related to Kota, Mahongwe, Mbangwe, Ndasa, Sake, Seki, Sighu, Wumbvu. They interact with the Tsogo and the Sangu around Mimongo. Traditional religion. Bible portions 1855-1879. Survey needed.
KOTA (IKOTA, IKUTA, KOTU) [KOQ] 28,000 to 60,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). A large area in Ogooue-Iwindo Province. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Many dialects. Traditional religion. Bible portions 1938-1948. Survey needed.
LUMBU (ILUMBU, BALOUMBOU) [LUP] 12,000 to 28,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Nyanga Province, between the Nyanga and Bangua rivers, on the southwest coast and the Congo border. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40). Some intermarriage with Vili women. Coastal. Fishermen, hunters. Traditional religion. Bible portions 1933-1966. Survey needed.
MAHONGWE [MHB] Northeast corner, Mekambo area. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Survey needed.
MBAMA (LEMBAAMBA, GIMBAAMA, BAMBAAMA, MBAMBA, MBAAMA, OBAMBA, BAKOTA) [MBM] 10,000 to 12,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Upper Ogooue Province, south of Okondja. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60). Intermarriage with the Sake. Traditional religion.
MBANGWE (MBAHOUIN, M'BAHOUIN) [ZMN] 2,000 to 7,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Upper Ogooue Province, south and west of Franceville. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Traditional religion. Survey needed.
MBERE (MBÉDÉ, LIMBEDE, MBÉTÉ, AMBEDE) [MDT] 45,000 to 60,000 in all countries (1990 CMA); 110,000 (1993 Johnstone), or 15% of the population in all Mbere languages in Gabon (1982 Barrett). Upper Ogooue Province, Okondja area. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60). Dialect: NGWII. Related to Kaningi, Mbama, Ndumu, Yangho. The people are called 'Ambede'. Different from Mbre (Mbere) in CAR. Traditional religion. Work in progress.
MYENE (OMYENE) [MYE] 35,000 to 69,000 or 5% of the population (1993), including 1,000 to 2,000 Dyumba, 1,000 to 5,000 Enenga, 2,000 to 11,000 Galwa, 1,000 to 4,000 Mpongwe, 10,000 Orungu, 20,000 Nkomi. Mainly in Ogooue-Maritime and Middle Ogooue provinces, from Lambarene area to coast. Mpongwe dialect is spoken on both sides of the Gabon Estuary, south of Libreville, Port Gentil area. Ajumba is north of Lambarene, Enenga northeast of Lambarene, Galwa in the Lambarene area and westward, Nkomi is on the coast, southeast of Port Gentil. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Myene (B.10). Dialects: AJUMBA (DYUMBA, ADYUMBA, ADJUMBA), ENENGA, GALWA (GALOA, GALUA, GALLOA, OMYENE), MPONGWE (MPUNGWE, NPONGWE, PONGOUÉ, MPONGOUÉ, NPONGUÉ), NKOMI (N'KOMI), ORUNGU (RONGO, RUNGU). Reported to have been partly submerged by the Fang. A dialect cluster. Nkomi: fishermen, work in oil fields. Bible 1927. NT 1869-1919. Bible portions 1850-1925.
NDASA (ANDASA, NDASH, NDASSA) [NDA] 5,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Upper Ogooue Province, south of Franceville. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). The people are called 'Bandasa'. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
NDUMU (MINDUUMO, MINDOUMOU, LENDUMU, NDUMBU, NDUUMO, NDUMBO, ONDOUMBO, ONDUMBO, MINDUMBU, DOUMBOU, DUMBU, BANDOUMOU) [NMD] 4,000 to 7,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Upper Ogooue Province, from Lastoursville to the north of Franceville. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60). Dialects: EPIGI, KANANDJOHO, KUYA, NYANI. The people are called 'Bandoumu'. Riverine. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
NGOM (UNGOM, ANGOM, BANGOM, BANGOMO, ONGOM, NGOMO) [NRA] 11,000 in all countries (1977 Voegelin and Voegelin). Extreme northeast, around Mekambo, and in Ogooue-Lolo Province, Koulamoutou area. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Closely related to Kele. Bible portions 1910. Survey needed.
NJEBI (NZEBI, INJEBI, YINZEBI, YINJEBI, NJABI, BANDZABI, NDJABI, NDJEVI) [NZB] 40,000 to 150,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo and Ngounie provinces, west of Franceville and extending to Lebamba area. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50). NT 1968-1979. Bible portions 1958-1959.
PINJI (GAPINJI, APINJI, APINDJI, APINDJE) [PIC] 5,000 (1990 CMA). Ngounie Province, east of Mouila, between Eleke and Fougamou. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30). They can speak GeTsogo. Different from Pende of Zaïre. Forest. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
PUNU (IPUNU, YIPUNU, POUNO, PUNO, YIPOUNOU) [PUU] 50,000 in all countries (1991 UBS); 10% of the population (1976 WA); 111,150 or 19% of the population in all Sira-Punu languages in Gabon (1982 Barrett). Nyanga and Ngounie provinces, Tchibanga and Ndende areas. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40). NT 1977. Bible portions 1939-1955.
SAKE (ASAKE, SHAKE) [SAG] Central, Ogooue-Iwindo Province, Booue area. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Survey needed.
SANGU (ISANGU, YISANGU, CHANGO, SHANGO, YISANGOU) [SNQ] 10,000 to 30,000 (1990 CMA). Ngounie Province, Mimongo and Iboundji area. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40). The people are called 'Masangu' or 'Massangou'. Not related to Sangu of Tanzania or Sango of Central African Republic, Chad, and Zaïre. Traditional religion. Bible portions 1943-1959. Survey needed.
SEKI (SEKYANI, SEKIANI, SEKIYANI, SEKIANA, SHEKIYANA, SHEKE, SEKE, BESEKI, BULU) [SYI] 1,000 to 4,000 in Gabon (1900 CMA); 11,000 in Equatorial Guinea (1993 Johnstone). Northwest coast around Cocobeach. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Different from Bulu of Cameroon. Survey needed.
SIGHU (LESIGHU, MISSISSIOU) [SXE] 1,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo Province, Koulamoutou-Lastourville area. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Survey needed.
SIMBA (NSINDAK) [SBW] 3,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo Province, between Sindare and Mimongo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30). Traditional religion. Survey needed.
SIRA (GISIRA, ESHIRA, ISIRA, ICHIRA, ISHIRA, YICHIRA, SHIRA, SHIRE) [SWJ] 17,000 to 50,000 (1990 CMA). 250,000 in all Sira languages in Gabon (1993 Johnstone). Ngounie Province, west of Mouila, southwest of Fougamou and Mandji. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40). They are reported to understand and to be able to use Yipunu quite well. The people are called 'Eshira'. Traditional religion. Bible portions 1954. Survey needed.
TEKE, NORTHERN (TEGHE, KATEGE, ITEGHE, TEGE, TEKE, KETEGO) [TEG] 10,000 to 20,000 in Gabon (1990 CMA); 30,000 in Congo (1987); 40,000 to 50,000 in all countries. Upper Ogooue Province, east of Franceville. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Teke (B.70). Dialects: NJININGI (KANJININGI, NDJININI, NJIKINI, NZIKINI, DJIKINI), TEGEKALI (KATEGE, TEGE, TÉGUÉ). Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
TEKE, WESTERN (WEST TEKE, SOUTHWEST TEKE) [TEZ] 32,000 in Gabon (1990 CMA); 60,000 or more in Congo (1988 SIL); 92,000 in all countries. Upper Ogooue Province, south of Franceville. The Tsaayi dialect is in Gabon. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Teke (B.70). Dialects: TSAAYI (TSAYI, NTSAAYI, TSAYE, GETSAAYI), YAKA (IYAKA, IYAA, YAA). Bible portions 1933. Survey needed.
TSAANGI (ITSAANGI, TSANGI, ITSANGI, ICAANGUI, TCENGUI, TCHANGUI, BATSANGUI) [TSA] 10,000 in all countries (1971 Welmers). Upper Ogooue Province, west and southwest of Franceville. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50). The people are called 'Batsangui'. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
TSOGO (GETSOGO, GHETSOGO, MITSOGO) [TSV] 12,000 (1982 UBS) to 31,000 (1990 CMA). Ngounie Province, north and east of Mouila. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30). The people are called 'MiTsogo'. NT 1983. Bible portions 1955-1957.
VILI (TSIVILI, CIVILI, FIOTE, FIOT, BAVILLI) [VIF] 5,000 to 6,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Extreme south, on the coast near Mayumba. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10). Dialect: YOOMBE (CIYOOMBE). A dialect cluster. Some people are literate in Ipunu or Lumbu. The people are called 'Bavili'. Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
VUMBU (YIVOUMBOU) [VUM] Yetsou area, west of Mouila. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40). Related to Yipunu. Distinct from Wumbvu in the Kele subgroup (B.20). Survey needed.
WANDJI (BAWANDJI) [WDD] 6,000 to 14,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo and Haut Ogooue. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50). May be a dialect of Njebi. Reported that speakers can understand Njebi. The people are called 'Bawandji'. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
WUMBVU (WUMVU) [WUM] 4,000 to 24,000 in all countries (1990 CMA). Ngounie Province, east of Lebamba. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20). Traditional religion. Survey needed.
YANGHO (YONGHO, MIYANGHO, BAYONGHO) [YNH] 5,000 (1990 CMA). Haut Ogooue around Mamidi and Bakoumba. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60). Traditional religion. Survey needed.
Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.
Copyright © 1996, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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