Yaka

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A language of Central African Republic

Alternate Names

Aka, Beká, Nyoyaka, Pygmée de Mongoumba, Pygmée de la Lobaye, Pygmées de la Sanghas, “Babinga” (pej.), “Bambenga” (pej.)

Yaâkâ

User Population

15,000 in Central African Republic (1996). Total users in all countries: 30,000.

Lobaye prefecture: Mbaïki and Mongoumba subprefectures, forest along Congo border; Sangha-Mbaéré prefecture: Bambio and Nola subprefectures.

Language Maps

Central African Republic

Language Status

5* (Developing).

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, C, Ngondi (C.104)

Beka (Bayaka, Gbayaka, Moyaka), Nzari.

As speakers come out of the forest, they are shifting to Sango [sag]. Most also use Sango [sag].

Language Development

Dictionary. Bible portions: 2003–2007.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Yaka

Latin script [Latn].

Different from Baka [bkc], which is Ubangi. Pygmies. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Congo

Language NameAka

User Population

15,000 in Congo (Cavalli-Sforza 1986).

Location

Cuvette, Likouala, and Sangha departments.

Alternate Names

Beka, Mòáka, Yaka, Yaâkâ, “Babinga” (pej.), “Binga” (pej.)

Dialects

Basese (Eastern Aka), Bambenzele (Western Aka).

Language Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

As speakers come out of the confines of the forest, there is language loss in favor of Lingala [lin].

Other Comments

Mraka (sg.), Beka (pl.). Different from the Baka [bkc] language of Cameroon and Gabon, which is Ubangi. Possibly more than one pygmy language in Congo. Nomadic. Pygmies. Traditional religion.

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