Languages of Gabon
See language map.[See also SIL publications on the languages of Gabon.]
Gabonese Republic, République Gabonaise. 1,291,000. National or official language: French. Literacy rate: 70%–77%. Immigrant languages: American Sign Language. Also includes languages of Lebanon (1,000), Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and West Africa. Information mainly from J. Bendor-Samuel and Hartell 1989; A. Jacquot 1978. Blind population: 1,300 (1982 WCE). The number of individual languages listed for Gabon is 42. Of those, all are living languages.
| Baka | [bkc]
3,200 in Gabon. Cameroon border area.
Alternate names: Babinga.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Adamawa-Ubangi, Ubangi, Sere-Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka-Mba, Ngbaka, Western, Baka-Gundi
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| Barama | [bbg]
6,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue Maritime Province, east of Omboue; Nyanga Province, west of Moabi.
Alternate names: Bavarama, Ghibarama, Gibarama, Yibarambu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40)
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| Bekwil | [bkw]
2,460 in Gabon (2000). Extreme northeast corner, Ogooue Ivindo Province, northeast of Mekambo.
Alternate names: Bakwele, Bakwil, Bekwel, Bekwie.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Makaa-Njem (A.80)
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| Benga | [bng]
1,100 in Gabon (2004). North of Libreville, Bata.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Bube-Benga (A.30)
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| Bubi | [buw]
5,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo Province, west of Koulamoutou, between M’Bigou and N’djoli.
Alternate names: Bhubhi, Eviia, Ibhubhi, Ibubi, Pove.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30)
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| Bwisi | [bwz]
1,230 in Gabon (2000). Far south, Nyanga Province, Ndende area on Congo border.
Alternate names: Ibwisi, Mbwisi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40)
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| Duma | [dma]
9,840 (2000). Upper Ogooue Province, Franceville area near Lastourville.
Alternate names: Adouma, Aduma, Badouma, Douma, Liduma.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50)
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| Fang | [fan]
588,000 in Gabon (2007). Northwest, Estuary and Woleu-Ntem provinces.
Alternate names: Pahouin, Pamue.
Dialects: Make, Ntum, Ogowe.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Yaunde-Fang (A.70)
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| French | [fra]
37,500 in Gabon (Johnstone 1993).
Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
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| Kande | [kbs]
1,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Ivindo Province, west of Booue.
Alternate names: Kanda, Okande.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30)
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| Kaningi | [kzo]
6,000 (1990 CMA). Upper Ogooue Province, south of Franceville.
Alternate names: Bakanike, Lekaningi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60)
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| Kélé | [keb]
9,230 (2000). Scattered in Middle Ogooue Province area, Mimongo area.
Alternate names: Akele, Dikele, Western Kele.
Dialects: Bubi, Western Kele. Similar to Ngom [nra]. Also related to Kota [koq], Mahongwe [mhb], Mbangwe [zmn], Ndasa [nda], Sake [sak], Seki [syi], Sighu [sxe], Wumbvu [wum].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Kota | [koq]
34,400 in Gabon (2000). Population total all countries: 43,460. Ogooue-Iwindo Province. Also in Congo.
Alternate names: Ikota, Ikuta, Kotu.
Dialects: Many dialects.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Lumbu | [lup]
19,700 in Gabon (2000). Population total all countries: 22,720. Southwest coast, Nyanga Province, between Nyanga and Bangua rivers; Congo border. Also in Congo.
Alternate names: Baloumbou, Ilumbu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40)
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| Mahongwe | [mhb]
1,000 (2000 B. Connell). Northeast corner, Mekambo area.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Mbama | [mbm]
9,700 in Gabon (2004). Upper Ogooue Province, south of Okondja.
Alternate names: Bakota, Lembaamba, Obamba.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60)
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| Mbangwe | [zmn]
3,690 in Gabon (2000). Population total all countries: 5,200. Upper Ogooue Province, south and west of Franceville. Also in Congo.
Alternate names: M’bahouin, Mbahouin.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Mbere | [mdt]
45,500 in Gabon (2000). All Mbere languages in Gabon: 110,000 (Johnstone 1993). Upper Ogooue Province, Okondja area.
Alternate names: Ambede, Limbede, Mbédé, Mbété.
Dialects: Ngwii.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60)
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| Myene | [mye]
46,700 (2000). 1,000 to 2,000 Dyumba, 1,000 to 5,000 Enenga, 2,000 to 11,000 Galwa, 1,000 to 4,000 Mpongwe, 10,000 Orungu, 20,000 Nkomi. Ogooue-Maritime and Middle Ogooue provinces, Lambarene area to coast. Mpongwe on both sides of Gabon Estuary, south of Libreville, Port Gentil area; Ajumba north of Lambarene; Enenga northeast of Lambarene; Galwa in Lambarene area and west; Nkomi on coast, southeast of Port Gentil.
Alternate names: Omyene, Pangwe.
Dialects: Ajumba (Dyumba, Adyumba, Adjumba), Enenga, Galwa (Galoa, Galua, Galloa, Omyene), Mpongwe (Mpungwe, Npongwe, Pongoué, Mpongoué, Npongué), Nkomi (N’komi), Orungu (Rongo, Rungu). A dialect subgroup.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Myene (B.10)
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| Ndasa | [nda]
2,460 in Gabon (2000). Upper Ogooue Province, south of Franceville.
Alternate names: Andasa, Ndash, Ndassa.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Ndumu | [nmd]
4,310 (2000). Upper Ogooue Province, Lastoursville north of Franceville.
Alternate names: Bandoumou, Doumbou, Dumbu, Lendumu, Mindoumou, Mindumbu, Minduumo, Ndumbo, Ndumbu, Nduumo, Ondoumbo, Ondumbo.
Dialects: Epigi, Kanandjoho, Kuya, Nyani.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60)
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| Ngom | [nra]
8,240 in Gabon (2000). Population total all countries: 12,770. Extreme northeast, Mekambo area; Ogooue-Lolo Province, Koulamoutou area. Also in Congo.
Alternate names: Angom, Bangom, Bangomo, Ngomo, Ongom, Ungom.
Dialects: Similar to Kele [keb].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Njebi | [nzb]
120,000 in Gabon (2007). Population total all countries: 135,100. Ogooue-Lolo and Ngounie provinces, west of Franceville, to Lebamba area. Also in Congo.
Alternate names: Bandzabi, Injebi, Ndjabi, Ndjevi, Njabi, Nzebi, Yinjebi, Yinzebi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50)
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| Pinji | [pic]
5,000 (1990 CMA). Ngounie Province, east of Mouila, between Eleke and Fougamou.
Alternate names: Apindje, Apindji, Apinji, Gapinji.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30)
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| Punu | [puu]
123,000 in Gabon (2000). Population total all countries: 132,060. Nyanga and Ngounie provinces, Tchibanga and Ndende areas. Also in Congo.
Alternate names: Ipunu, Pouno, Puno, Yipounou, Yipunu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40)
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| Sake | [sak]
1,000 (2000 B. Connell). Central, Ogooue-Iwindo Province, Booue area.
Alternate names: Asake, Shake.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Sangu | [snq]
20,900 (2000). Ngounie Province, Mimongo and Iboundji area.
Alternate names: Chango, Isangu, Shango, Yisangou, Yisangu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40)
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| Seki | [syi]
3,690 in Gabon (2000). Northwest coast, Cocobeach area.
Alternate names: Seke, Sekiana, Sekiani, Sekiyani, Sekyani, Seseki, Sheke, Shekiyana.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Sighu | [sxe]
1,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo Province, Koulamoutou-Lastourville area.
Alternate names: Lesighu, Mississiou.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Simba | [sbw]
3,000 (1990 CMA). Ogooue-Lolo Province, between Sindare and Mimongo.
Alternate names: Nsindak.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30)
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| Sira | [swj]
39,400 (2000). 250,000 in all Sira languages in Gabon (Johnstone 1993). Ngounie Province, west of Mouila, southwest of Fougamou and Mandji.
Alternate names: Eshira, Gisira, Ichira, Ishira, Isira, Shira, Shire, Yichira.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40)
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| Tchitchege | [tck]
2,000 (2003). Mboua village, on the road south from Franceville to Boumango.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Teke (B.70)
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| Teke, Northern | [teg]
15,700 in Gabon (2000). Upper Ogooue Province, east of Franceville.
Alternate names: Iteghe, Katege, Ketego, Tege, Teghe, Teke.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Teke (B.70)
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| Teke-Tsaayi | [tyi]
33,600 in Gabon (2000).
Alternate names: Getsaayi, Tsaya, Tsaye, Tsayi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Teke (B.70)
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| Tsaangi | [tsa]
8,610 in Gabon (2000). Upper Ogooue Province, west and southwest of Franceville.
Alternate names: Batsangui, Icaangui, Itsaangi, Itsangi, Tcengui, Tchangui, Tsangi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50)
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| Tsogo | [tsv]
12,000 (1982 UBS). Ngounie Province, north and east of Mouila.
Alternate names: Getsogo, Ghetsogo, Mitsogo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Tsogo (B.30)
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| Vili | [vif]
3,690 in Gabon (2000). Extreme south, on the coast near Mayumba.
Alternate names: Civili, Fiot, Fiote, Tsivili.
Dialects: Yoombe (Ciyoombe).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
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| Vumbu | [vum]
2,460 (2000). Yetsou area, west of Mouila.
Alternate names: Yivoumbou.
Dialects: Related to Yipunu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Sira (B.40)
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| Wandji | [wdd]
10,500 (2000). Ogooue-Lolo and Haut Ogooue.
Alternate names: Bawandji.
Dialects: May be a dialect of Njebi [nzb], which they understand.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Njebi (B.50)
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| Wumbvu | [wum]
18,300 in Gabon (2000). Ngounie Province, east of Lebamba. Also in Congo.
Alternate names: Wumvu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Kele (B.20)
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| Yangho | [ynh]
5,000 (1990). Haut Ogooue around Mamidi and Bakoumba.
Alternate names: Bayongho, Miyangho, Yongho.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, B, Mbere (B.60)
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| Yasa | [yko]
Alternate names: Bongwe, Lyassa, Maasa, Yassa.
Dialects: Iyasa, Bweko, Vendo, Bodele, Marry, One, Asonga, Bomui, Mogana, Mooma, Mapanga.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Bube-Benga (A.30), Yasa
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