Zari

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A language of Nigeria

ISO 639-3
zaz
Alternate Names
Zariwa
Population

No known L1 speakers. 20,000 Zakshi (1995 CAPRO), 1,000 Boto (Gunn 1953). Ethnic population: 20,700 (2000 CAPRO).

Location

Bauchi State, Toro, Dass, and Tafawa Balewa LGAs.

Language Status

9 (Dormant).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West, B, B.3, Zaar Proper
Dialects

Boto (Bibot, Boot), Zakshi (Zaksa), Zari (Kopti, Kwapm). Dialect cluster within Barawa cluster (Crozier and Blench 1992).

Language Use

Also use Saya [say], Sanga [xsn], or Hausa [hau] (1995 CAPRO).

Other Comments

Hausa [hau] is rapidly replacing the indigenous languages. (Shimizu 1978). Muslim.