Balanta-Ganja

A language of Senegal

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Fjaa, Fraase

Population

82,800 (2006).

Location

Southwest corner, south of Casamance river, between Goudomp and Tanaff, and south.

Language Status

4 (Educational). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 979 of 21 October).

Classification

Dialects

Fganja (Ganja), Fjaalib (Blip). A separate language from Balanta-Kentohe [ble] in Guinea-Bissau.

Language Use

Also use Mandinka [mnk].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%.

Language Resources

Writing

Arabic script. Latin script.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.