Nafusi

JBN

threatened

Alternate Names: Djerbi, Jabal Nafusi, Jbel Nafusi, Jebel Nefusi, Nefusi

Dialects: Jerbi (Jerba), Tamezret (Duwinna), Zuara (Zouara, Zuraa, Zuwara, Zuwarah, Zwara). Zuara dialect well known in Jebel Nafusa area and in Jerba Tunisia. Some visit Zuara, but not vice versa. Matmata and Tatawine area less well understood by speakers in Jerba or Zuara. Speakers in Zuara and Jebel areas understand Jerba dialect stories well.

Genealogy:

Afro-Asiatic
Berber
Northern
Zenati
East

Demographics: 184,000 in Libya (2006). Population total all countries: 210,000. Preschool children are monolingual in Nafusi.

Language Use: All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development: Poetry. New media. Radio programs. TV. Bible portions.

Writing System: Arabic

Nation of Origin: Libya

Other Comments: Most live apart from Arabized inhabitants of the region. Muslim (Ibadi).