Alternate Names: Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balanta, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Frase
Dialects: Kantohe (Kentohe, Queuthoe), Mane, Naga, Nhacra (Fora). Naga, Mane, and Kantohe dialects may be separate languages. Distinct from Balanta-Ganja , in Senegal. Not intelligible with Mansoanka ,. Naga and Mane are related on one end, and Nhacra and Kentohe are very closely related on the other end of the dialect chain, with Kentohe and Mane being furthest apart. Mane speakers say they are the same as Balanta Ganja , of Senegal. (2009 B. Paris).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 397,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2006 World Factbook). Population total all countries: 423,000.
Language Use: Also use Upper Guinea Crioulo [pov].
Language Development: Taught in primary schools. Films. NT: 2011.
Nation of Origin: Guinea-Bissau
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.