Oniyan

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A language of Senegal

ISO 639-3
bsc
Alternate Names
Ayan, Basari, Bassari, Biyan, Onëyan, Onian, Tenda Basari, Wo
Population

13,300 in Senegal (2006). Population total all countries: 22,510.

Location

Southeast, Upper Casamance, Edun area; border areas, Kedougou, Tambacounda. Also in Gambia (Bassari), Guinea (Bassari), Guinea-Bissau (Bassari).

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 987 of 21 October).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda
Dialects

Ane, Këd, Oxalac. Closely related to Ménik [tnr].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Pulaar [fuc].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Radio programs. Grammar. NT: 2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Oniyan
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Often identified by the majority population as Bassari. Tenda is a cover term for Oniyan [bsc], Badyara [pbp], Wamey [cou], and Ménik [tnr]. High mortality rate. Women intermarry with men from Fulbe and other groups; children become part of the other group. Trading is carried on with the Fulbe. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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