Alternate Names: Baseca, Basila, Bassila, Gisida, “Ouinji-Ouinji” (pej.), “Winji-Winji” (pej.)
Dialects: Agerendebu ka gija (Agéréndébou), Frinyio ka gija (Frignion), Gibayaakuja (Bayaku), Gibodija (Bodi), Giborokoja (Mboroko), Gideenguja (Dengou), Gifolanga (Guiguisso), Gikodowarja (Kodowari), Gipenelanja (Pénélan), Gipenesulja (Pénéssoulou), Gisaramangaja (Saramanga), Giseda (Bassila), Naagayili ka gija (Nagayilé), Ngmeelang ka gija (Melan), Yaari ka gija (Yarí). Giseda is the main dialect that adults understand. Higher intelligibility among the dialects in the north. Lexical similarity: 89% with the Bodi dialect and 74% with the Balanka dialect.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 33,600 in Benin (2011 SIL), increasing. Population total all countries: 45,900.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use French [fra]. Varies with education level. Also use Ede Nago [nqg]. Varies with education level. Also use Tem [kdh]. Varies with education level.
Language Development: Literacy efforts since 1980. Poetry. Magazines. Radio programs. Dictionary.
Typology: SVO; 14 noun classes; 23 consonant phonemes; tonal.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Benin
Other Comments: Muslim.