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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Ghana > Ligbi

Ligbi

A language of Ghana

ISO 639-3: lig

Population  15,000 in Ghana (2003 GILLBT). Population total all countries: 19,000.
Region  Numasa, northwest Brong-Ahafo; east of Sampa and northwest of Wenchi. Also in Côte d’Ivoire.
Language map  Ghana, reference number 43
Alternate names   Banda, Dzowo, Jogo, Ligwi, Namasa, Nigbi, Nigwi, Tsie, Tuba, Weela, Weila, Wiila
Dialects  Bungase, Gyogo, Hwela (Weila, Wiila, Weela, Vwela), Dwera (Manji-Kasa), Atumfuor (Atumfuor-Kasa), Ntoleh.
Classification  Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Jogo-Jeri, Jogo
Language use  Blacksmiths in other countries speaking Manding languages are also called ‘Noumou’, but in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire the Noumou speak Ligbi. Also use Akan [aka].
Language development  Grammar.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  ‘Banda’ is the people name, and also refers to Nafaanra language speakers. ‘Numu’ is a caste of blacksmiths who speak the same dialect as the others. Muslim, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

Côte d’Ivoire

Language name   Ligbi
Population  4,000 in Côte d’Ivoire (Vanderaa 1991).
Region  Eastern Department, Bineto village; Bouna community; Slil town near Boundoukou; Ourodougou near Malinke [loi] territory.
Language map  Côte d’Ivoire, reference number 41
Alternate names  Banda, Jogo, Ligwi, Nigbi, Nigwi, Tuba
Language use  In other countries, blacksmiths speaking Manding languages are also called ‘Noumou’, but in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the Noumou speak Ligbi.
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%.
Comments  ‘Numu’ (Noumou, Numun) is the name of a caste of blacksmiths; not a separate language. ‘Banda’ is the people name, which is also the name for speakers of Nafaanra [nfr]. Traditional religion, Muslim.