jad ISO 639

Jahanka

  • Geography

    GN Boké region: central Gaoual prefecture, more than 60 villages on Tamine river upper reaches between Boké and Sangea towns.
  • Language Cloud

A language of Guinea

jad
Diakanka, Diakhanke, Diakkanke, Dyakanke, Jahanque, Jahonque, Jaxanka
137,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 147,500.
Boké region: central Gaoual prefecture, more than 60 villages on Tamine river upper reaches between Boké and Sangea towns.
Central Mali: Enlarged area, Guinea, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, Western Mali
6a* (Vigorous).
Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding
Jahanka in Gambia may be same language, or a dialect of Western Maninkakan [mlq]. Jahanka in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau is a dialect of Western Maninkakan [mlq]. Lexical similarity: 75% with Mandinka [mnk].
Radio.
Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab].
Reportedly came from Mali in 18th century and trace their origins to Soninke [snk], but now speak a separate language. Muslim.
OLAC resources in and about Jahanka
Djakanka
10,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL), all users. Ethnic population: 10,000 (2022 Joshua Project).
Gabu: centered in neighborhoods in and around the town of Gabu, and other nearby towns. Urban dwellers.
6a (Vigorous)
Home, friends, work, religion. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Mandinka [mnk]. All also use Pulaar [fuc]. Most also use Susu [sus]. Many also use Wolof [wol]. Used as L2 by Soninke [snk].
Non-indigenous. Muslim.
View other languages of Guinea-Bissau
Jahanka
500 in Mali (2001), decreasing.
Kayes region: Kéniéba circle, Kofoulabé, a few other villages.
6b (Threatened)
Also use Western Maninkakan [mlq], with some shfting.
Non-indigenous. Reportedly originated in Mali. Origins traced to Soninke [snk], but now speak a separate language. Muslim.
View other languages of Mali