Fang
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A language of Equatorial Guinea
624,000 in Equatorial Guinea, all users. L1 users: 589,000 in Equatorial Guinea (2013 S. Smith), increasing. L2 users: 35,000 (2013 S. Smith). Total users in all countries: 1,096,800 (as L1: 1,061,800; as L2: 35,000).
Widespread. Centro Sur, Kié-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas provinces.
3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Used as LWC in continental Equatorial Guinea (the area previously known as Rio Muni). Used in church, market, business, media, and music. It became a LWC by virtue of its dominant status as mother tongue of 85% of the country’s population.
All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Spanish [spa]. Many also use Equatorial Guinean Pidgin [fpe], a language of urban identity for the young people in the capital and on Bioko island. Many also use French [fra]. Used as L2 by Benga [bng], Bube [bvb], Fa d’Ambu [fab], Kombe [nui], Kwasio [nmg], Molengue [bxc], Seki [syi].
Literacy rate in L1: Few read Fang. Literacy rate in L2: 77% in Spanish [spa]. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2014.
Known as warriors of the jungle. Their knowledge of jungle plants, animals, and survival is legendary. Christian, traditional religion.