The Bena–Mboi (Ɓəna–Mboi) Yungur languages form a branch of the Adamawa family. They are spoken in central Adamawa State, eastern Nigeria, just to the east of Lafia LGA.
Idiatov & van de Velde (2019) classify the Bena–Mboi languages as Benue-Congo.Idiatov, Dmitry; van de Velde, Mark. 2019. Bena-Mboi is Benue-Congo. Adamawa Conference, Department of Anthropology & African Studies, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 9–11 September 2019.
Classification In the Adamawa Languages Project website, Kleinewillinghöfer (2011) classifies the Ɓəna-Mboi or Yungur group as follows.Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2011. Ɓəna-Mboi (Yungur) group. Adamawa Languages Project. Ɓəna-Mboi (Yungur) Ɓəna Ɓəna Yungur Ɓəna Yungur Voro Ɓəna Lala Ɓəna Lala of Yang Ɓəna Lala of Bodwai (Bodɛ) Robma (Robma of) Dingai Mboi (Gəna) Mboi of Livo; Mboi of Gulungo Mboi of Haanda; Mboi of Banga Kaan (Libo)
Names and locations Below is a list of language names, populations, and locations from Blench (2019).
Language Branch Cluster Dialects Alternate spellings Own name for language Endonym(s) Other names (location-based) Other names for language Exonym(s) Speakers Location(s) Ɓena Yungur Ɓəna is divided into 17 clans each of which is said to have a distinct speech-form, but they are too closely related to actually be distinct dialects. Ebina, Binna, Gbinna Ebəna Ɓəna Lala (not recommended), Purra (general term for northern Ɓəna) Yungur, Yangur Yungirba, Yungur 44,300 (1963) probably including Lala and Roba; fewer than 100,000 (1990 est.) Adamawa State, Song and Guyuk LGAs Kaan Yungur Libo Adamawa State, Guyuk LGA Lala cluster Yungur Lala Ɓəna 30,000 (SIL); 44,300 with Ɓəna (1963) Adamawa State, Guyuk, Song and Gombi LGAs Yang Yungur Lala Yan Lalla Roba Yungur Lala Gworam Ebode Yungur Lala Ẹbode Mboi cluster Yungur Mboi Mboire, Mboyi 3,200 (1973 SIL) Adamawa State, Song LGA Gana Yungur Mboi Gəna Mboire, Mboyi 1,800 (LA 1971) Adamawa State, Song LGA, northwest of Song. Livo village and associated hamlets Banga Yungur Mboi Adamawa State, Song LGA, west of Loko. Banga village and associated hamlets Haanda Yungur Mboi Handa 1,370 (LA 1971) Adamawa State, Song LGA, west of Loko. Handa village and associated hamlets Voro Yungur Vɔrɔ Ebəna, Ebina Ɓena Woro Yungur Adamawa State, Song and Guyuk LGAs, south of the Dumne road. Waltande and associated hamlets.
References
External links Ɓəna-Mboi (Yungur) group (Adamawa Languages Project)