Alternate Names: Babinga, Bagiele, Bagyele, Bajele, Bajeli, Bako, Bakola, Bakuele, Bekoe, Bogyel, Bogyeli, Bondjiel, Giele, Gieli, Gyeli, Likoya
Dialects: Bagyeli, Bakola, Likoya. Lexical similarity: high with Kwasio ,. Much shared vocabulary in Bakola dialect with Basaa ,. Likoya is a contact variety; Gyele who live near Bulu , speakers borrow from that language.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 4,250 in Cameroon (2012 SIL). Population total all countries: 4,279.
Language Use: Speakers often hide the fact that they have their own language. However, within the group, when no outsiders are present, they prefer Gyele. Home, with each other. All ages. Very few use French [fra]. Nearly all also use Kwasio [nmg]. Also use Basaa [bas], Bulu [bum], Ewondo [ewo].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 5% have some literacy in Gyele. Literacy rate in L2: Very few can read French [fra]. A Bipindi boarding school uses Gyele materials in elementary school, which produced some literacy among Bipindi area Gyele speakers. Not used in government schools, which more children are attending. Poetry. Radio programs. Films. Videos. Bible portions: 1969–1987.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Cameroon
Other Comments: Pygmies, dispersed in small groups in the forest. Probably different from Bakola (Bakoya) pygmies of Gabon. Traditional religion.