Benga
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A language of Equatorial Guinea
4,000 in Equatorial Guinea (2017 S. Smith), decreasing. 500 on Corisco Island. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 4,500 (2017 S. Smith). Total users in all countries: 5,500.
Litoral province: Corisco Island, Rio Muni.
6b (Threatened).
On Corisco, all domains. Some young people, all adults. Away from Corisco island, used more by older generation, fewer youth. Positive attitudes. Most also use Spanish [spa]. All Equatorial Guinean Benga from age 6 are educated in Spanish. Many also use French [fra], due to trade with Gabon. Some also use Fang [fan]. Used as L2 by Bapuku [bnm].
Literacy rate in L1: Only a few dozen read Benga (Scripture). All Ndowe groups use Benga hymnal. Literacy rate in L2: Almost 100%. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1929.
Traditionally coastal fishermen. All the Benga and Batanga [bnm] consider themselves ‘Boumba’ (those who use ‘mba’ to refer to ourselves), and together with additional groups are ‘Ndowe’ (the beach peoples). Christian, traditional religion.