The Kainji languages are a group of about 60 related languages spoken in west-central Nigeria. They may be an independent branch of Benue–Congo.Roger Blench (2026) Rethinking the classification of 'South Jukunoid'. University of Buffalo, May 21.
Demographics Four of the most widely spoken Kainji languages are Tsuvadi (150,000), Cishingini and Tsishingini (100,000 each)—all from the Kambari branch; and Clela (C'lela, Lela) (100,000), of the Northwest Kainji branch. In total, there were about one million speakers of Kainji languages (1990s estimate) in Nigeria.
History Proto-Kainji is estimated by Blench (2012) to be 3,000 to 4,000 years old. Its broken distribution today is likely due to the historical northward expansion of the Nupoid languages.
Morphology Proto-Kainji nominal prefixes:
*mV- for liquids and other mass nouns *u- for person, *ba- for people *kV- for diminutive and perhaps also augmentative; also found in some Plateau languages
Classification The most divergent of the Kainji languages are Reshe, Laru and Lopa, which may form a branch together. Subclassification of the other branches is not yet clear. A bipartite division between East Kainji and West Kainji is no longer maintained, with West Kainji now being paraphyletic.
Blench (2018) Most recent Kainji classification by Blench (2018:64):Blench, Roger M. 2018. Nominal affixing in the Kainji languages of northwestern and central Nigeria. In John R. Watters (ed.), East Benue-Congo: Nouns, pronouns, and verbs, 59–106. Berlin: Language Science Press.
Kainji Lake Reshe Upper Niger Rop Shen, Shuba Central Northwest Kainji Kambari, Cicipu East Kainji Kamuku, Shiroro, Basa
Blench (2012) Blench's (2012) classification is:
Kainji Lakes: Reshe; Laru (Shen), Lopa (Rerang) Kainji proper (Central) Northwest Kainji (Lela)
Kambari, Cicipu Basa, East Kainji Kamuku, Shiroro
McGill (2012) A revised classification of the Kainji languages by McGill (2012) splits Kainji into the Lake and Central branches.McGill, Stuart. 2012. The Kainji languages. Ms, School of Oriental and African Studies, London, 30 August 2012.
Kainji Lake Reshe Upper Niger Sengwe/Laru Oleran/Lopa: Rop, Cuba Central Basa, Eastern Northwest Damakawa C'lela Hun-Saare/Duka; Wuri-Gwamhi-Mba, Ma'in/Fakai Kambari Cicipu West: Gaushi/Auna, Kimba, Wunci/Agwara East: Shingini/Salka, Va'di, Bangi Nuclear Shiroro Bauchi: Mun-Wayam, Rubo-Supana Gurmana Rin/Pongu, Waga Fungwa/Ura Kamuku-Hunwarya/Ngwoi Hunwarya/Ngwoi Kamuku Regi-Cinda-Kuki Rogo-Shiyabe, Zubazuba-East Acipa Shama
Gerhardt (1983) Classification of Plateau 1a (now West Kainji) and Plateau 1b (now East Kainji) languages by Gerhardt (1983),Gerhardt, Ludwig. 1983. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Sprachen des Nigerianischen Plateaus. Glückstadt: Verlag J. J. Augustin. based on Maddieson (1972):Maddieson, Ian. 1972. The Benue-Congo Languages of Nigeria. Sheet 1 and 2: Plateau. Mimeographed paper. Ibadan.
Plateau 1a Laru-Lopa Reshe Kambari cluster Ngwoi, Kamuku cluster, Bassa-Kontagora, Ashaganna Bassa-Kaduna, Bassa-Kuta, Gurmana, Pongo, Baushi, Ura, Bassa-Kwomu Dakarkari, Duka, Pəku-Kəri-Wipsi cluster, Lyase
Plateau 1b Kuda-Chamo, Butu-Ningi, Gyema, Taura, Lemoro-Sanga, Janji, Shani, Buji-Ibunu-Jere-Gus, Anaguta Kuzamaini, Kurama, Rumaya, Ruruma, Binawa, Kono, Surubu Kaivi, Kiballo, Kitimi, Kinuku, Dungi, Gure-Kahugu Amo
Names and locations Below is a comprehensive list of Kainji language names, populations, and locations from Blench (2019).
Note: West Kainji is geographical rather than genealogical.
Group Primary locations+ Distributions of Kainji groups East Kainji Kauru LGA, Kaduna State and Bassa LGA, Plateau State West Kainji Rafi LGA, Niger State and Zuru and Yauri LGAs, Kebbi State (Kainji Lake area)
East Kainji
West Kainji