Kariya language explained

Kariya
Nativename:Vìnà Hə̀
States:Nigeria
Region:Ganjuwa LGA, Bauchi State
Speakers:2,000
Date:1995
Ref:e18
Familycolor:Afro-Asiatic
Fam2:Chadic
Fam3:West Chadic
Fam4:Bade–Warji
Fam5:Warji (B.2)
Iso3:kil
Glotto:kari1316
Glottorefname:Kariya

Kariya or Vinahə (Vìnà Hə̀), is an Afroasiatic language spoken in a cluster of villages near the Stone Age archaeological site of Kariya Wuro in Ganjuwa LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The ethnic group is known as Wììhə́.[1]

The Wiihə people have a highly rich and complex ritual culture that includes elaborate masquerades, a circumcision ceremony known as sár, a ritual calendar, and so on.[1]

Distribution

Speakers live in the two main settlements of Kariya Gyada and Tulu. There are also speakers in the nearby villages of Sabon Kariya and Sabon Tulu. The settlement of Dutsen Giwa used to have Vinahə speakers, but it is now Hausa-speaking.[1]

Clans

Wiihə clans and their respective founders and shrines:[1]

Clan Founder Shrine
Vàràyá Tákúshìyà uses the Kúlkùl shrine
Kúlkùl Yàkáù Jambula
Njálgá Zàmànì incorporated into Kàryà
Kàryà Ààyà Faɗuwan
Wèèmà Gwàlàbà Dunguzun
Iìrwá Jàngàlá incorporated into Vàràyá

Notes and References

  1. Blench, Roger. 2012. Linguistic and cultural background to the North Bauchi region and the Wiihə people