The text illustrates the complexities of cultural practices and linguistic classifications among the Gando, Boko, and Busa people, highlighting a rich historical context that intertwines language, identity, and tradition in West Africa. The evolution of these practices and language recognition reflects broader socio-cultural dynamics in the region.
The text provides an in-depth overview of the Gando, Boko, and Busa language groups and their associated cultural practices. Here’s a breakdown of the main points discussed:
Gando Cultural Practices
Language and Ethnicity: The Gando people speak Fulfulde but are ethnically connected to the Boko and Baatombu groups.
Abandonment Custom: There was a traditional practice where children deemed dangerous (e.g., born on their stomachs or with upper teeth appearing before lower ones) were abandoned at night among Fulbe cattle herds.
If the cows did not flee from the child, the Fulbe would accept the child, raising them on cow’s milk.
These children were never returned to their biological parents and were considered Fulbe slaves.
Settlements: Gando settlements are located near Boko and Baatombu villages, particularly in the Nikki-Bouka-Kalale area, although some are spread throughout the regions inhabited by these groups.
Decline of Practice: This abandonment custom reportedly ceased in the 1970s.
Boko/Busa Language Cluster
Language Recognition: The classification of the languages and their speaker populations has evolved over time, with various estimates:
Prost (1953): 16,000 speakers of Busa.
Murdock (1959) and Welmers (1971): both estimated 30,000.
Kirk-Greene (1966): reported 50,000 speakers.
A significant increase to about 150,000 speakers was noted in 1997.
Nomenclature Confusion: There has been some inconsistency in naming and grouping these languages:
The Busa speakers in Nigeria have been noted to form a fusion of people who now all speak the same language, Zugweya, known as Busanchi by Hausa speakers.
Mande speakers in Dahomey (now Benin) identify as Boko rather than Busa, referring to themselves simply as Boo.
In Nigeria, names vary by region; for instance, Mande people do not use the term Busa but call themselves Bokobaru or Bisã.
Language Relations: Linguistic studies suggest that several Mande languages in Northern Dahomey and Nigeria are closely related and may be dialects of a singular language.
Linguistic Survey Findings:
A 1992 survey revealed four distinct languages within the region, with some having their own dialects.
Estimates from the 1991 census indicated a lack of clarity in tribal affiliations.
As of 1997, estimates were approximately:
Boko: 80,000 (including 45,000 in Benin and 35,000 in Nigeria).
Bokobaru: 30,000 in Kaiama and Barutem LGAs, Nigeria.
Busa: 40,000 speakers in total (18,000 in Borgu LGA, 6,000 in Kebbi State, and 16,000 Busa as a second language).
