Bafut language
Encyclopedia
The Bafut language, Fut, is an Eastern Grassfields
language of the Niger–Congo languages
, and related to Bamum
. Oral tradition traces dynastic origins to the Ndobo or Tikari areas. It is spoken by people of Bafut Subdivision
, Tuba, in the division of Mezam
and in the division of Metchum in Northwest Province, Cameroon.
The Bafut language was alphabetized by SIL International
worker Joseph Mfonyam
in 1982. Since then some literature has been translated into Bafut, most notably the New Testament
in the year 2000.
Grassfields languages
The Grassfields or Grassfields Bantu languages, spoken in the Western grassfields of Cameroon, are a branch of Benue–Congo and a sister group to the Bantu languages...
language of the Niger–Congo languages
Niger–Congo languages
The Niger–Congo languages constitute one of the world's major language families, and Africa's largest in terms of geographical area, number of speakers, and number of distinct languages. They may constitute the world's largest language family in terms of distinct languages, although this question...
, and related to Bamum
Bamum language
Bamum , or in its French spelling Bamoun, is one of the Benue–Congo languages of Cameroon, with approximately a quarter million speakers. The language is well-known for its original script developed by King Njoya and his palace circle around 1895...
. Oral tradition traces dynastic origins to the Ndobo or Tikari areas. It is spoken by people of Bafut Subdivision
Bafut Subdivision
The Bafut Subdivision or the Kingdom / Chiefdom / Fondom of Bafut is a subdivision in the Mezam Division of Northwest Province, Cameroon. It is located in the Western Grassfields region - a name for the Northwest Province, Cameroon and surrounding grassland areas...
, Tuba, in the division of Mezam
Mezam
Mezam is a county of Southern Cameroons currently occupied by the government of the Republic of Cameroon and currently known as a department of Northwest Province in Cameroon...
and in the division of Metchum in Northwest Province, Cameroon.
The Bafut language was alphabetized by SIL International
SIL International
SIL International is a U.S.-based, worldwide, Christian non-profit organization, whose main purpose is to study, develop and document languages, especially those that are lesser-known, in order to expand linguistic knowledge, promote literacy, translate the Christian Bible into local languages,...
worker Joseph Mfonyam
Joseph Mfonyam
Joseph Ngwa Mfonyam works with the Bafut Language Association as an SIL International consultant.-Life:...
in 1982. Since then some literature has been translated into Bafut, most notably the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
in the year 2000.