Kwanka language


Kadung, or Kadun, is a dialect cluster of Plateau languages in Nigeria.

Varieties

Kadung or Kadun is the main variety. Others are Ya and Bijim.
Vaghat is perceived as distinct from Kadung. Mutual intelligibility between Vaghat/Kadung, Ya and Bijim is fairly low. Kadung and Bijim are more closely related to each other, while Yaa is more divergent.
Kadung and Ya are endonyms, with loconyms Kadung and Kadun and Boi for Ya.

Distribution

The main settlements are Chinpyàk, Kwànkà, Làrkà, Bùkòʃì, Wùyà, Gileŋ, Kùmbùl, Kaduŋ, Wùʃìmà, ɗə̀kdèy, Kwándarì, Rɔ̀k, Jàrkàn, Dùfyàm, Amusha, and others. They are located in Pankshin LGA and Mangu LGA, Plateau State. Surrounding languages are Mwaghavul, Ngas, Pyem, and Fulani.

Vaghat

The Vaghat originally lived in the following hill settlements in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs in southwestern Bauchi State.
  • Akusha
  • Anjere
  • Aruti
  • Dala
  • Goŋzi
  • Gwoɓi. There is a cave where the skulls of Vaghat ancestors are kept.
  • Kaduk
  • Kudal
  • Kwafa
  • Maŋgar
  • Yaghap
  • Yalas
  • Yaŋ
  • Yɔghɔs
  • Yise
  • Zhindir
Today, the Vaghat have also moved to many towns and settlements spread across Bauchi State, Plateau State, and Kaduna State.
Vaghat highland clans are: Āyàlàs, Àyìtūr, Àtòròk, Āyīpàɣí, Āyīgònì, Àyàkdàl, Àyánàvēr, Āyàtōl, Àyàʒíkʔìn, Àyìʤìlìŋ, Áyàshàlà, and Àzàrā.
Vaghat lowland clans are: Āyàlàs, Àyàkdàl, Àyàʒíkʔìn, Àyàgwàr, and Àyàgyēr.
The Vaghat people also have a cave in a mountain where they keep the skulls of their ancestors.