Alternate Names: Berba, Bieri, Bjerb, Bjeri, Byali
Dialects: Dassari, Gouande, Materi, Pingou, Porga, Tangeta, Tihoun.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 100,000 in Benin (2002). Population total all countries: 104,080.
Language Use: All ages. Also use French [fra]. Used as L2 by Notre [bly].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 1–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 15–20% French. Radio programs. Bible portions: 2008–2013.
Typology: SVO; postpositions; 14 noun classes; Aspect, no tense; tonal.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Benin
Other Comments: Glossonym: Biali or Bieri. Ethnonym: Bialaba. Berba is the French name. Historical accounts claim they originated in the F’ada N’Gourma area of Burkina Faso. Different from Baatonum (Bariba) ,. Traditional religion, Christian.