Kaansa

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A language of Burkina Faso

ISO 639-3
gna
Alternate Names
Gã, Gan, Gane, Kaan, Kaanse, Kãasa, Kan
Population

6,000 (1990 S. Showalter).

Location

Poni Province, Gaoua subdistrict, Loropéni department, bounded by Loropéni west, Derbi east, Djigoué south, and Yérifoula north.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Gan-Dogose
Dialects

Kaansa, Kpatogo (Bodoro, Gbadogo, Kpatogoso, Padogho, Padorho, Padoro). Lexical similarity: 81% between dialects, 71% with Khisa [kqm], 68% with Dogosé [dos].

Language Use

All ages. All also use Jula [dyu], some use Lobi [lob] or French [fra].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 3%. Bible portions: 2003–2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kaansa
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

4 clans: Farma, Suwa, Khama, Thama. The Kpatogo separated politically and geographically from the Kamba. At least 7 primary schools in towns and villages serving Kaan villages. Obiré, 8 km northwest of Loropéni, is cultural center and residence of the Kaan Iya, the traditional ruler of the Kaan people. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.