Kainji languages

Kainji
Kainji
Geographic; distribution	Kainji Lake, Nigeria
Linguistic classification	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Central Nigerian (Platoid) Kainji; ; ; ;
Subdivisions	Reshe; core Kainji;
Glottolog	kain1275
	The Kainji languages shown within Nigeria

The Kainji languages are a group of sixty or so related languages spoken by about 900,000^{[year needed]} people in Nigeria. They form part of the Central Nigerian (Platoid) branch of Benue–Congo. Four of the largest are Tsuvadi (150,000), Cishingini and Tsishingini (100,000 each)—all from the Kambari branch; and Clela (C'lela, Lela) (100,000), of the Northwest Kainji branch.

Classification

The most divergent of the Kainji languages are Reshe, Laru and Lopa. Subclassification of the other branches is not yet clear. A division between East and West Kainji is no longer maintained.

Reshe
Lakes: Laru, Lopa
Kainji proper
- Kambari languages
- Basa languages
- Kamuku languages
- Shiroro languages
- Northwest Kainji (Lela, Duka)
- East Kainji

References

The Kainji languages (Roger Blench)