Bariba, also known as Baatonum, is the language of the Bariba people and was the language of the state of Borgu. The native speakers are called Baatombu (singular Baatonu), Barba, Baruba, Berba and a number of various other names and spellings. It is primarily spoken in Benin, but also across the border in adjacent Kwara State and Niger State, Nigeria, and some Bariba are in Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger. Welmers (1952) reported the Bariba language as spoken in the cities of Nikki, Parakou, Kandi, and Natitingou.

Names

The language can be known by different names: Other names include Barba or Berba. One person who speaks Bariba is called Baatɔnu and two or more persons or speakers are called Baatɔmbu and the language of the Baatɔmbu/Borgawa people is called Baatɔnum.

Geographic distribution

In Nigeria, Bariba is spoken mainly in Borgu LGA of Niger State and in Baruten LGA of Kwara state. A number of Bariba have migrated to other parts of Nigeria, including Abuja. The Bariba people are referred to as Borgawa in Hausa. In Benin, Bariba is spoken mainly in Alibori, Donga, Atakora and Borgou departments. A number of Bariba have migrated to other parts of Benin, including Cotonou. In Togo, Bariba is spoken in the Centrale Region. In Burkina Faso, Bariba is spoken in Kompienga Province. There are also some Bariba in Niger in Tillabéri Region and Dosso Region.

Classification

Bariba is usually classed as an independent member of the Savanna languages, but some consider it and a number of other languages, such as Miyobe, as a Gur language. However, other than Bariba, there are other unclassified Gur languages, including Miyobe, Koromfe, Viemo, and Natyoro.

Alphabet

There are 23 letters of Batonou alphabet.

Phonology

Consonants

Vowels

Tone

Bariba is a tonal language. Tonal patterns in Bariba have been claimed to present a challenge to the Two-Feature Model of tonal phonology.

Nouns

Bariba has 7 noun classes: The data was collected by William E. Welmers in August and September 1949 at Nikki, Benin.

y-class

The y-class is the largest noun class. y-class singular nouns usually in -a.

t-class

All forms end in -ru for t-class nouns.

g-class

Forms usually end in back vowels for g-class nouns.

w-class

m-class

m-class nouns often end in -m.

s-class

The s-class is a small noun class. Most forms are collectives and end in -su.

n-class

The n-class is a small noun class. Most forms are collectives and end in -nu.

Verbs

Aspects

There are 7 primary verb aspects in Bariba: There are 5 verb classes, which are grouped according to the formation of the past aspect.

List of verbs

Consecutive verb forms are given below. S denotes stative forms.

Adjectives

Invariable adjectives: Adjectives with a class of their own, which remains the same after all nouns; singular and plural forms are like those of nouns: t-class adjectives: g-class adjectives: Attributive adjectives with alternants for each noun class:

Numerals