Balanta-Kentohe

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A language of Guinea-Bissau

ISO 639-3
ble
Alternate Names
Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balanta, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Frase
Population

397,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2006 World Factbook). Population total all countries: 423,000.

Location

Oio Region, and central coast, Mansoa to Bambadinka, south Tombali and Kinara areas. Also in Gambia.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Balant-Ganja
Dialects

Kantohe (Kentohe, Queuthoe), Mane, Naga, Nhacra (Fora). Naga, Mane, and Kantohe dialects may be separate languages. Distinct from Balanta-Ganja [bjt] in Senegal. Not intelligible with Mansoanka [msw]. Naga and Mane are related on one end, and Nhacra and Kentohe are very closely related on the other end of the dialect chain, with Kentohe and Mane being furthest apart. Mane speakers say they are the same as Balanta Ganja [bjt] of Senegal. (2009 B. Paris).

Language Use

Also use Upper Guinea Crioulo [pov].

Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Films. NT: 2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Balanta-Kentohe
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.