Alternate Names: “Banana” (pej.), Masa, Massa
Dialects: Bongor, Bugudum (Budugum), Domo, Gizay (Gisey, Guissey), Gumay (Goumaye), Ham, Walia (Walya), Wina (Viri), Yagwa (Yagoua). All dialects understand Yagoua dialect well; Gizay and Yagoua dialects are 80% mutually intelligible. Lexical similarity: 97% between the Budugum dialect and the most similar other dialect.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 130,000 in Chad (2006). Population total all countries: 233,000.
Language Use: Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Primary school program. Dictionary. Bible: 2003.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Chad
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.