Kainji languages

Kainji
Geographic distribution:	Kainji Lake, Nigeria
Linguistic classification:	Niger–Congo Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Central Nigerian (Platoid) Kainji
Subdivisions:	Reshe core Kainji
Glottolog:	kain1275[1]

The sixty or so Kainji languages are spoken by about 900,000 people in Nigeria. Four of the largest are Tsuvadi (150,000), Cishingini and Tsishingini (100,000 each)—all from the Kambari branch; and Clela (= C'lela, Lela) (100,000), of the Duka branch.

Classification

The most divergent of the Kainji languages are Resh, Laru, and Lopa. Subclassification of the other branches is not yet clear. A division between East and West Kainji is no longer maintained.

• Reshe
• Lakes: Laru, Lopa
• Kainji proper
  • Kambari languages
  • Basa languages
  • Kamuku languages
  • Shiroro languages
  • Northwest Kainji (Lela, Duka)
  • East Kainji

References

1. Nordhoff, Sebastian; Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2013). "Kainji". Glottolog. Leipzig: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

• The Kainji languages (Roger Blench)