Mbe

A language of Nigeria

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Ketuen, Western Mbube

Population

65,000 (2011 F. Ekpong). 15,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 65,000.

Location

Cross River State, Ogoja LGA.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Dialects

Ekumtak, Idum, Odaje.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home. All ages. Positive attitudes. 35% bilingual.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 35% in English. Bible portions: 1992.

Language Resources

Writing

Latin script, used since 1985.

Other Comments

Distinct from Mbe’ [mtk] of Cameroon, a Grassfields language. Christian, traditional religion.