Bamun

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A language of Cameroon

ISO 639-3
bax
Alternate Names
Bamoum, Bamoun, Bamum, Shupamem
Autonym
Shüpamom
User Population

420,000 (2005 SIL). Based on actual population of the subdivisions where the Bamun people are present, as of the official 2005 census (2014 C. Hamm).

Location

Centre region: border areas; North West region: Ngo-Ketunjia division, north Lake Bamendjing on Ndop plain; West region: southeast Bamboutos division, north Mifi division, Noun division, Foumban area.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Originated in the high western grasslands of Cameroon with capital at Foumban, a town in Northwest Cameroon.

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Wide Grassfields, Narrow Grassfields, Mbam-Nkam, Nun
Dialects

None known. Related to Bafanji [bfj], Bamali [bbq], Bambalang [bmo], and Bangolan [bgj].

Language Use

Most also use French [fra], especially among the Bamun who live in the Centre and West Regions. A few also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. A few also use English [eng], especially among the Bamun who live in the NorthWest Region. A few also use Standard Arabic [arb]. Used as L2 by Ghomálá’ [bbj], Medumba [byv], Mengaka [xmg], Tikar [tik].

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary and secondary schools. Grammar. Bible: 1988.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bamun
Writing

Bamum script [Bamu], taught in schools until 1930s. Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.