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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Mali > Bomu

Bomu

A language of Mali

ISO 639-3: bmq

Population  102,000 in Mali (1976 census). Population total all countries: 158,000.
Region  A triangle between San and Sofara on Bani River. Mao is separate from other dialects and straddles Mali-Burkina Faso border on main San to Bobo-Dioulasso road. Also in Burkina Faso.
Language map  Mali, Enlarged Area
Alternate names   Bobo, Bobo Wule, Boomu, Bore, Western Bobo Oule, Western Bwamu, Western Red
Dialects  Dwemu, Dahanmu, Mao. Dwemu subdialects are Terekongo (Terekoungo), Wahu (between Téné and the Bani River), Togo. Dahanmu subdialects are Koniko, Mandiakuy, Bomborokuy, and Mao (Mahou).
Classification  Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Bwamu
Language use  National language.
Language development  Grammar. NT: 1954–1994.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  The so-called ‘Bobo Gbe (White Bobo, Kyan, Tian, Tyan)’ were a mistakenly identified group of Bwa. SOV; postpositions; genitives, relatives before noun heads; articles, adjectives, numerals after noun heads; word order distinguishes subjects, objects, indirect objects; V, CV, CVV; tonal. Traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

Burkina Faso

Language name   Bomu
Population  56,000 in Burkina Faso (1991).
Region  Kossi Province, Soumbara, west of Nouna.
Language map  Burkina Faso, reference number 4
Alternate names  Bobo Oule, Boomu, Bore, Western Bobo Wule
Language use  All ages. Men can speak Jula [dyu] for common topics with outsiders, women for trading.
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: Adults over 30: 2%, young people 20%. Literacy rate in L2: Young people 10% in Jula; 2% in French.
Comments  The people are called ‘Bonuu’ (sg.) or ‘Bwa’ (pl.). Peasant agriculturalists. Traditional religion, Christian.