Alternate Names: Baree, Bare’e, Poso
Dialects: Laiwonu (Iba), Pamona, Rapangkaka (Aria), Taa (Topotaa, Wana), Tobau (Bare’e, Tobalo, Tobao), Tokondindi, Tomoni, Topada. Laiwonu and Rapangkaka dialects may be separate languages. Lexical similarity: 76% (Taa)–90% among dialects, except for Tombelala ,, which has 66%–76% with other Bungku Tengah dialects, and is considered a separate language.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 137,000 (Lauder et al. 2000).
Language Use: Also use Indonesian [ind].
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1933–1992.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Indonesia
Other Comments: Pamona speakers in Bungku Utara recognize 5 ethnic groups with minor dialect differences: Pusangke, Kajumorangka, Tokasiala, Burangas, and Topotaa. The first 4 are interior mountain dwellers; the Topotaa are coastal. Bungku Tengah recognize 5 varieties: Topotaa (same as Taa), Tobau, Tokondindi, and Topada. Christian.