The Bongo–Bagirmi or Sara–Bongo–Bagirmi (SBB) languages are the major branch of the Central Sudanic language family with about forty languages. Principal groups include Bagirmi languages such as Naba and the Sara languages. They are spoken across CAR, Chad, South Sudan, Sudan and adjacent countries.

Languages

The Bongo–Bagirmi languages are for the most part poorly studied, and there is little agreement as to their internal classification. The table below is taken from Lionel Bender, as summarized in Blench (2000). Sinyar and Fongoro may not be Bongo–Bagirmi or even Central Sudanic languages.

Classification

Boyeldieu (2006) classifies the Sara-Bongo–Bagirmi languages as follows. Boyeldieu (2006) considers the homelands (Urheimats) of the language groups to be as follows. The Bongo–Bagirmi languages in the east are closer to other Central Sudanic languages, while the Sara languages in the west have diverged more from the typical Central Sudanic typological profile due to contact with Ubangian and other languages.

Reconstruction

Plants

Proto-Sara–Bongo–Bagirmi plant names:

Fish

Proto-Sara-Bongo-Bagirmi fish names: