Bendi languages


The Bendi languages are a small group of Benue–Congo languages of uncertain affiliation spoken in Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria, with one having some speakers in Cameroon. Once counted among the Cross River languages, Blench suggests that they may actually be a branch of Southern Bantoid, and observes similarities especially with the Ekoid languages.
Very little research has been conducted on the Bendi languages, and the modern work that does exist often remains either unpublished or inaccessible. The group is notable for having one language that has male and female forms.

Languages

The Bendi languages are:
The data is too poorly covered to allow for detailed internal classification of these languages.

Names and locations

Below is a list of language names, populations, and locations from Blench.
LanguageClusterDialectsAlternate spellingsOwn name for languageOther names Other names for languageExonymSpeakersLocation
BekwarraBekwara, BekworraYakoro27,500, 34,000, 60,000 Cross River State, Ogoja LGA
ObanlikuBasang, Bebi, Bishiri, Bisu, BusiAbanliku19,800 ; estimated 65,000 Cross River State, Obudu LGA
Obe clusterObeMbube Eastern ; OgberiaMbe Afal 16,341 Cross River State, Obudu LGA. 6 villages: Nkim, Ogboria Ogang, Ogboria Uchuruo, Ojerim, Árágbán, and Òbósó.
MgbenegeObeCross River State, Obudu LGA
UtugwangObeOtugwangCross River State, Obudu LGA
OkwọrọgungObeOkorogungCross River State, Obudu LGA
UkwortungObeOkorotung, OkwọrọtungCross River State, Obudu LGA
UbangÙbâŋCross River State, Obudu LGA
Ukpe–Bayobiri clusterUkpe–Bayobiri12,000 Cross River State, Obudu and Ikom LGAs
UkpeUkpe–Bayobiri
BayobiriUkpe–Bayobiri
AlegeCross River State, Obudu LGA
Bete–BendiBete, BendiBette–BendiDama17,250, 36,800 Cross River State, Obudu LGA
BumajiCross River State, Obudu LGA
Afrike-Irungene clusterAfrike-IrungeneCross River State, Ogoja LGA
AfrikeAfrike-IrungeneAferikpe3,500 Cross River State, Ogoja LGA
IrungeneAfrike-IrungeneCross River State, Ogoja LGA
BokyiBy clans: Abo, Bashua, Boje, East Boki, Irruan, Osokum, Basua/Ɓashua, Wula: Báswó, Okúndi, KecwanBokiNki, Okii, UkiNfua43,000 ; 50,000 in Nigeria, 3,700 in Cameroon Cross River State, Ikom, Ogoja and Obudu LGAs; and in Cameroon

Numerals

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:
Language12345678910
kìn-hà-cià-nè-dyaŋ-dyaàkìn -dièhà -diècià -diènè irifo
ìkènìfèìkíéìnèìdíɔ́ŋìdíɔ́ŋ ìkèn ìdíɔ́ŋ ìfè ìdíɔ́ŋ ìkíé ìdíɔ́ŋ ìnè lèhʷó
ikenifeeikʲeindeidʲoŋidʲoŋ-iken idʲoŋ-ifee idʲoŋ-ikʲe idʲoŋ-inde lihʷo
kíbɔ́ŋèbìfɛ̀ːbìt͡ʃâtbìɲìːbìtáŋɛ̀ɲât͡ʃât kát͡ʃákáɲì ɲíríɲì kátáŋɛ̀káɲì děːk͡púː