Geographic
distribution: Cameroon | Glottolog: momo1242 | |
Linguistic classification: Niger–Congo
Atlantic–Congo
Benue–Congo
Southern Bantoid
Grassfields languages?
Tivoid–Beboid?
Momo | ||
The Momo languages are a branch of the Southern Bantoid languages spoken in the Western grassfields of Cameroon.
The languages are:
Meta' (Moghamo)–Ngamambo, Mundani, Ngie (Mengum), Ngoshie, Ngwo (Basa, Konda), Njen, AmasiEthnologue 16 adds Manka, but that is a Southwest Grassfields (West Momo) language. The people of the Southwest Grassfields also include two main groups. Notably Menka and Widikum. The Menka people speak the Wandoh, Etoh and Ambelle languages. They are grouped under three clans: (1) Wandoh, (2) Etoh and (3) Ambelle clans. The second group speaks Widikum and Busam languages. Two main groups: Menka and Widikum were previously under the Mamfe Division but because of the topography and cultural identification with the North Western grassfield were attached to the North West Province (now Region).
Blench (2010) notes there is little evidence that Momo belongs among the Grassfields languages as it has been traditionally classified. (The erstwhile West Momo languages are clearly in the Grassfields family). Momo may actually be closer to the poorly established Tivoid group, though that may be an effect of contact.