Bidyogo

BJG

vigorous

Alternate Names: Bijago, Bijogo, Bijougot, Bijuga, Budjago, Bugago

Dialects: Anhaqui (Anhaki), Formosa, Kagbaaga, Kajoko (Uno), Kamona (Caravela), Karanguna (Orango), Kasuga, Kavrama. Some intelligibility problems reported between dialects, but only Kamona said to be unintelligible to others. Important grammatical differences between Kagbaaga and Anhaqui, Kagbaaga and Kajoko. No information about dialects on Galinhas and Formosa islands. Lexical similarity: Galinhas dialect is 69% similar to Uno dialect; Formosa has highest (75%) with Galinhas, and lowest (55%) with Caravela dialect; Bubaque has 66% with Uno; Canhabaque and Caravela have 62% with Uno; Formosa and Uracane have 81% with Uno. (2009 F. Sabio).

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Atlantic
Bijago

Demographics: 29,900 (2006 World Factbook).

Language Use: On many islands people are more comfortable using Bijago rather than Crioulo [pov] (2009 F. Sabio). Also use Upper Guinea Crioulo [pov].

Language Development: Little literacy work has been done. NT: 1975.

Nation of Origin: Guinea-Bissau

Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.