Baatonum
PrintPrimary tabs
A language of Benin
Alternate Names
Baatombu, Baatonu, Barba, Barganchi, Bargawa, Bargu, Bariba, Baruba, Berba, Bogung, Burgu
Autonym
Baatonum
User Population
941,000 in Benin (2018). Total users in all countries: 1,041,000.
Location
Alibori department: central and southeast; Atacora department: east; Borgou department: Bembereke, Kalale, N’Dali, Nikki, Parakou, Sinende, Perere, and east Tchaourou communes; Donga department: Djougou commune.
Language Maps
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Used as conquest language in 17th century. Widespread under European colonization beginning in the 1880’s in northeast Benin and northwest Nigeria. Language of colonization, trade, and church.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–30%. Taught as subject in primary schools in grades 1 and 2, in 5 schools (2014 SIL). Dictionary. Bible: 1996.
Distinct from Biali (Berba) [beh]. Muslim, traditional religion.