Bekwel

A language of Congo

Bakwele, Bakwil, Bekwil

Autonym

Bɛkwyel

User Population

14,000 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 19,700.

Location

Sangha department: on Cameroon border, near Gabon border, almost to Ouesso.

Language Maps

Congo

Southern Cameroon

Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and São Tomé e Príncipe

Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Makaa-Njem (A.85)

Dialects

Zalagee, Ebaa, Mekwoob, Mebeeza, Koolo. Reportedly similar to Mpumpong [mgg]. Lexical similarity: 85% with Koonzime [ozm].

Language Use

Used by all. Also use Lingala [lin] (Leitch 2005).

Language Development

Dictionary. Bible portions: 2014.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Bekwel

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Different from Baakpe [bri] (Bakwiri) of Cameroon. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Cameroon

Language NameBekwel

User Population

1,700 in Cameroon (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Location

East region: Boumba-and-Ngoko division, Moloundou area along Ngoko river north side.

Alternate Names

Bɛkwyel, Bakwele, Bakwil, Bekwil, Okpele

Dialects

Esel (Essel).

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Many also use French [fra]. Also use Mpumpong [mgg].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Cameroon

Gabon

Language NameBekwel

User Population

4,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007).

Location

Ogooué-Ivindo province: northeast corner, Makokou on Ivindo river, and Imbong and Massombo villages northeast of Mékambo.

Alternate Names

Bɛkwyel, Bakwele, Bakwil, Bekwie, Bekwil

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Language Use

Many also use French [fra].

Other Comments

Different from Mokpwe [bri] of Cameroon. Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Gabon

Bekwel

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A language of Congo

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