Bozo, Jenaama

BZE

developing

Alternate Names: Boso, Corogaama, Djenaama, Nononke, Sarkanci, Sarkawa, Sorko, Sorogaama

Dialects: Débo, Korondougou, Kotya (Kotyaxo), Pondori. Lexical similarity: 53%–76% with Tieyaxo Bozo , (most similar).

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Mande
Western
Northwestern
Soninke-Bobo
Soninke-Boso
Boso
Jenaama

Demographics: 197,000 in Mali (2003 SIL), increasing.

Language Use: Nononke and Somono who live in the same area speak Jenaama as L1. All ages. Positive attitudes. Northern dialect speakers have some proficiency in a Songai or Fulfulde variety; southern dialects in Bambara.

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Bible portions: 2008.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Mali

Other Comments: Ethnic autonym: Sorogo (sg.), Sorogoye (pl.); glossonym: Sorogama, language of the Bozo. The Bambara term Boso refers to the entire ethnic group. Nononkes are often also called Marka or dry Marka, referring to the fact that they were originally Soninke or Malinke but no longer speak their language. Somono ethnic autonym: Komuo (sg.), Kombye (pl.). Muslim.