Gabon

Languages

American Sign Language ase

Scattered. Users: 7,000 in Gabon (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Approximately 0.3% of the total population. Another estimate: 2,000 (2008 WFD), approximately 0.1%. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: ASL, Francophone ASL, Gabonese Sign Language Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language

Baka bkc

Ogooué-Ivindo province: Bélinga, Makokou; Woleu-Ntem province: Minvoul. All along Cameroon border. Users: 3,200 in Gabon (1990 CMA). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bayaka, Bebayaka, “Babinga” (pej.) Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Adamawa-Ubangi, Ubangi, Sere-Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka, Western, Baka-Gundi

Barama bbg

Ngounié province: Douya-Onoy department; Nyanga province: west of Moabi; Ogooué-Maritime province: east of Omboué. Users: 1,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bavarama, Ghibarama, Gibarama, Givarama, Varama, Yibarambu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Shira-Punu (B.402)

Bekwel bkw

Ogooué-Ivindo province: northeast corner, Makokou on Ivindo river, and Imbong and Massombo villages northeast of Mékambo. Users: 4,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bɛkwyel, Bakwele, Bakwil, Bekwie, Bekwil Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Makaa-Njem (A.85)

Benga bng

Estuaire province: Cape Estérias along the coast north of Libreville. Users: 1,500 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Status: 8a (Moribund). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Bubi-Benga (A.34)

Bubi buw

Ogooué-Lolo province: Lolo-Bouénguidi department, Baniati and Mouila-Pouvi. Users: 4,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bhubhi, Eviia, Gevove, Ghevove, Ibhubhi, Ibubi, Pove, Vove Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.305)

Bwisi bwz

Nyanga province: far south, Ndendé area on Congo border. Users: 1,230 in Gabon (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Ibwisi, Mbwisi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Shira-Punu (B.401)

Duma dma

Ogooué-Lolo province: Franceville area near Lastourville. Users: 9,840 (2000). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Adouma, Aduma, Badouma, Douma, Liduma Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Nzebi (B.51)

Eviya gev

Ngounie province: Fougamou on right bank of Ngounié river; some in Libreville. Users: 50 (2013 D. Cavar). Ethnic population: 400 (2013 D. Cavar). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Evia, Gevia, Geviya, Ivéa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.301)

Fang fan

Mainly Estuaire and Woleu-Ntem provinces; Moyen-Ogooué province: Ogooué river and Ancien Founa areas; Ngounié province: most in Ancien Matica area; Ogooué-Ivindo province: Ivindo department. Users: 350,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Pahouin, Pamue, Pangwe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Ewondo-Fang (A.75)

French fra

Users: 1,515,000 in Gabon, all users. L1 users: 265,000 in Gabon (2021). L2 users: 1,250,000 (Marcoux et al 2022). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 2). Alternate Names: Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French

Hausa hau

Users: 16,000 in Gabon (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West, A, A.1

Iyasa yko

Woleu-Ntem province. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Bongwe, Lyassa, Maasa, Yasa, Yassa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Bubi-Benga (A.33)

Kabuverdianu kea

Users: 3,000 in Gabon (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based

Kande kbs

Ogooué-Ivindo province: Aschouka and Boléko villages west of Booué. Users: 100 (Grollemund 2005). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Kaande, Kanda, Okande Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.32)

Kaningi kzo

Haut-Ogooué province: Boumango, Lékoussaga, Moanda, Moukaba, and Okoloville villages north and south of Franceville. Users: 1,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bakanike, Bakaningi, Lekaningi, Likaningi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbete (B.602)

Kélé keb

Moyen-Ogooué province: Lambaréné; Ngounié province: Baposso, Bougonga, Dienga, Fougamou, Mbeboudye, Mimongo, Mouila, and Sindara villages; Ogooué-Lolo province: Koula-Moutou. Users: 1,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Akele, Dikele, Kili, Western Kele Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.22)

Kota koq

Ogooué-Ivindo province: Ivindo river basin, headwaters area east from Makokou to Mindemba; Ogooué-Lolo and Haut-Ogooué provinces: north. Users: 25,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Total users in all countries: 41,500. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ikota, Ikuta, Kotu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.25)

Lumbu lup

Nyanga province: southwest coast, Mayumba, between Bangua and Nyanga rivers; Ogooué-Maritime province: coastal Ndougou department, Gamba, Mayonani, Panga, and Setté Cama villages. Users: 19,700 in Gabon (2000). Total users in all countries: 22,720. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Baloumbou, Ilumbu, Yilumbu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Shira-Punu (B.44)

Mahongwe mhb

Ogooué-Ivindo province: south of Mékambo along Congo border; northeast of Makokou, east of Ivindo river. Users: 8,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 8a (Moribund). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.252)

Mbangwe zmn

Haut-Ogooué province: south and southwest of Franceville. Users: 2,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Total users in all countries: 3,510. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: M’bahouin, Mbaouin Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.23)

Mbere mdt

Haut-Ogooué province: Okondja area. Users: 45,500 in Gabon (2000). All Mbere languages in Gabon: 110,000 (Johnstone 1993). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ambede, Lembaamba, Limbede, Limbere, Mbaama, Mbédé, Mbété, Obamba Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbete (B.61)

Myene mye

Estuaire province: Libreville and Gabon estuary; Moyen-Ogooué and Ogooué-Maritime provinces: Lambaréné area to coast; Ngounié province: south of Lambaréné. North of Lambaréné (Ajumba dialect); northeast of Lambaréné (Enenga dialect); Lambaréné area and west (Galwa dialect); both sides of Gabon estuary, south of Libreville, Port-Gentil area (Mpongwe dialect); coast southeast of Port-Gentil (Nkomi dialect); Port-Gentil (Orungu dialect). Users: 45,000 (Idiata 2007). 1,000–2,000 Dyumba, 1,000–5,000 Enenga, 2,000–11,000 Galwa, 1,000–4,000 Mpongwe, 10,000 Orungu, 20,000 Nkomi. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Omyene Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Myene (B.11)

Ndambomo nxo

Ogooué-Ivindo province: Booué, Makokou. Users: 1,000 (2016). P. Medjo-Mvé. Status: 7 (Shifting). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.204)

Ndasa nda

Haut-Ogooué province: south of Franceville. Users: 1,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Andasa, Ndash, Ndasha, Ndassa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.201)

Ndumu nmd

Haut-Ogooué province: west of Franceville. Users: 3,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bandoumou, Doumbou, Dumbu, Lendumu, Lindumu, Mindoumou, Mindumbu, Minduumo, Ndumbo, Ndumbu, Nduumo, Ondoumbo, Ondumbo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbete (B.63)

Ngom nra

Ogooué-Ivindo province: Mékambo area; Ogooué-Lolo province: Koulamoutou area. Extreme northeast. Users: 8,240 in Gabon (2000). Total users in all countries: 12,770. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Angom, Bangom, Bangomo, Ngomo, Ongom, Ungom, Ungomo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.22)

Njebi nzb

Ngounié and Ogooué-Lolo provinces: west of Franceville, to Lebamba area; northeastward into Haut-Ogooué province as far as Okondja. Users: 120,000 in Gabon (2007 R. Radke). Total users in all countries: 143,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Bandzabi, I-Nzèbi, Injebi, Inzabi, Inzebi, Ndjabi, Ndjevi, Njabi, Nzɛbi, Nzebi, Nzèbi, Yinjebi, Yinzebi, Yinzébi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Nzebi (B.52)

Pinji pic

Ngounié province: east of Mouila, between Eléké and Fougamou. Users: 1,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Apindje, Apindji, Apindzi, Apinji, Gapinji, Ghepinzi, Pinzi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.304)

Punu puu

Ngounié and Nyanga provinces: Ndendé and Tchibanga areas. Users: 152,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Total users in all countries: 168,500. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Ipunu, Pouno, Pounou, Puno, Yipounou, yi-punu, yiPunu Autonym: Yipunu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Shira-Punu (B.43)

Sake sak

Ogooué-Ivindo province: central, northwest, Booué area; border areas, northeast Moyen-Ogooué and south Woleu-Ntem provinces. Users: 8,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Asake, Shake Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.251)

Samay syx

Ogooué-Lolo province: Lastourville area; Haut-Ogooué and Ogooué-Ivindo provinces: along main road between Makokou and Okondja. Users: 1,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Osamayi, Sama, Samaye, Shamay, Shamayi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.203)

Sangu snq

Ngounié province: Iboundji and Mimongo area; Ogooué-Lolo province: Idimba and Massoukou area. Users: 30,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chango, Isangu, Shango, Yisangou, Yisangu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Shira-Punu (B.42)

Seki syi

Estuaire province: Corisco Bay and Rio Muni, Cocobeach area on northwest coast. Users: 1,000 in Gabon (Idiata 2007). Total users in all countries: 12,000. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bulu, Seke, Sekiana, Sekiani, Sekiyani, Sekyani, Seseki, Sheke, Shekiyana Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.21)

Sighu sxe

Ogooué-Lolo province: Koulamoutou-Lastourville area, Boulemba, Bounji, Liyodia, and Ndambo villages. Users: 1,000 (1990 CMA). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Lesighu, Lisighu, Lisigu, Mississiou, Sigu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.202)

Simba sbw

Ngounié province. Users: 100 (Idiata 2007). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Gehimba, Ghehimba, Ghehimbaka, Himba, Himbaka, Nsindak Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.302)

Sira swj

Ngounié province: west of Mouila, southwest of Fougamou and Mandji; small border areas in eastern Ogooué-Maritime and northwest Nyanga provinces. Users: 39,400 (2000). 30,000–40,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Eshira, Gisir, Gisira, Ichira, Ishira, Isira, Shira, Shire, Yichira Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Shira-Punu (B.41)

Tchitchege tck

Haut-Ogooué province: Mboua village, south from Franceville to Boumango. Users: 2,000 (2003). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Latsitsege, Lintsitsege Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Teke (B.701)

Teke-Tege teg

Haut-Ogooué province: east and northeast of Franceville. Users: 90,000 in Gabon (2011 SIL). 22,500 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 139,300. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Iteghe, Katege, Keteghe, Ketego, Latege, Northern Teke, Tege-Kali, Teghe, Teke Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Teke (B.71)

Tsaangi tsa

Haut-Ogooué province: Lekoko department, west and southwest of Franceville; Ogooué-Lolo province: Lombo-Bouenguidi department. Users: 8,610 in Gabon (2000). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Batsangui, Icaangui, Itsaangi, Itsangi, Itsengi, Tcengui, Tchangui, Tsangi, Tsengi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Nzebi (B.53)

Tsogo tsv

Ngounié province: north and east of Mouila. Users: 9,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Getsogo, Ghetsogo, Mitsogo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.31)

Vili vif

Nyanga province: coast near Mayumba and south. Users: 3,690 in Gabon (2000). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Civili, Fiot, Fiote, Tsivili Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kikongo (H.12)

Vumbu vum

Ngounié province: Moukalaba department, Yetsou area, west of Mouila. Users: 5,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Givoungou, Givungu, Vungu, Yivoumbou Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Shira-Punu (B.403)

Wandji wdd

Ogooué-Lolo province: between Boucama and Mitoungou; Haut-Ogooué province: Moulounou department. Users: 10,000 (Idiata 2007). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bawandji, Liwanzi, Wanzi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Nzebi (B.501)

Wumbvu wum

Ngounié province: east of Lébamba to Malinga (Congo), Lekindou and Rebe villages. Users: 18,300 in Gabon (2000). Total users in all countries: 28,900. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Wumbu, Wumvu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.24)