North Bauchi languages
The North Bauchi languages are a branch of West Chadic languages that are spoken in Bauchi State, northern Nigeria.
An extensive survey of the North Bauchi languages had been done by Skinner.
Culturally, North Bauchi language speakers are unique for their chestharp, a fusion of the arched harp with the chest bow.
Languages
The North Bauchi languages are:- Pa'a
- Warji
- Diri
- Ciwogai
- Kariya
- Mburku
- Miya
- Siri
- Zumbun
- Ajawa
Names and locations
| Language | Cluster | Dialects | Alternate spellings | Own name for language | Endonym | Other names | Other names for language | Exonym | Speakers | Location |
| Ciwogai | Tsagu | Sago, Tsaganci | 3,000 | Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs | ||||||
| Diri | Diriya, Dirya | Sago, Tsagu | Diryanci | Buwane, Diryawa | 3,750 | Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs | ||||
| Kariya | Two dialects | Kauyawa, Keriya | Vinahә | Wihә | Lipkawa | 2,200 ; 3,000 | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA. At Kariya Wuro, 30 S.E. of Ningi. | |||
| Paʼa | Paha, Afa | FuCaka | sg. FuCiki, pl. Foni | Paʼanci | Faʼawa, Afawa | 8,500 ; 20,000 | Bauchi State, Ningi and Darazo LGAs | |||
| Siri | Siri | Siryanci | 2,000 ; 3,000 | Bauchi State, Darazo and Ningi LGAs | ||||||
| Warji | Gala | Sәrzakwai, Sirzakwai | Sar | Sarawa | 28,000 ; 50,000 | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, Ganjuwa district, and Ningi LGA, Warji district; Jigawa State, Birnin Kudu LGA | ||||
| Mburku | Barko, Barke | Vә Mvәran | Mburkanci | Burkunawa, Lipkawa | 210 ; 4,000 | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA | ||||
| Miya | Muya | Vәne Mi | Miyawa | 5,200 | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, Ganjuwa district. Miya town and associated hamlets | |||||
| Zumbun | Wudufu | Jimbin | Vina Zumbun | 1,500 | Bauchi State, Darazo LGA |
Reconstruction
Proto-North Bauchi quasi-reconstructions by Roger Blench :;Trees
| Scientific name | English name | Proto-North Bauchi |
| Faidherbia albida | whitethorn | #atasay |
| Acacia sieberiana | paperbark acacia | #malaliya |
| Khaya senegalensis | African mahogany | #kwamay |
| Zizyphus sp. | jujube | #akwaya |
| Ficus sp. | fig | #tirini |
| Bombax buonopozense | silk cotton | #zəŋgwa |
;Antelopes
| Scientific name | English name | Proto-North Bauchi |
| Tragelaphus scriptus | bushbuck | #badakəla |
| Gazella rufifrons | red-fronted gazelle | #tambəra |
| Alcelaphus buselaphus | hartebeest | #zəmakwara |
| Ourebia ourebi | oribi | #ndagway |
| Redunca redunca | reedbuck | #gəlafi |
;Crops
| Scientific name | English name | Proto-North Bauchi |
| Vigna subterranea | Bambara groundnut | #azuwey |
| Sorghum bicolor | guinea corn | #ʒuna |
| Pennisetum typhoideum | millet | #gyəla |
| Pennisetum typhoideum | millet | #marday |
| Abelmoschus esculentus | okra | #tagway |
| Solanum spp. | garden egg | #akintə |
;Livestock
| English name | Proto-North Bauchi |
| chicken | #ɬərkəyi |
| cow | #yəruwa |
| he-goat | #aʧikyə |
| sheep | #tumakway |
;Liquids
| English name | Proto-North Bauchi |
| beer | #təɬana |
| honey | #suƙwana |
| oil | #ʃivəna |