Kwanka, or Kwang (Kwaŋ), is a
dialect cluster
A dialect continuum or dialect chain is a series of language varieties spoken across some geographical area such that neighboring varieties are mutually intelligible, but the differences accumulate over distance so that widely separated varie ...
of
Plateau languages in Nigeria.
Varieties
Kwang or Vaghat is the main variety. Others are Ya (''Tiyaa'') and Bijim.
Vaghat is perceived as distinct from Kadung. Mutual intelligibility between Vaghat/Kadung, Ya and Bijim is fairly low. Kadung and Bijim are more closely related to each other, while Yaa is more divergent.
Kwang and Ya are endonyms, with loconyms Kadun and Kwanka for Kwang and Boi for Ya.
Distribution
The main settlements are Càmpàk, Kwànkà, Làrkà, Bùkòʃì, Wùyà, Gileŋ, Kùmbùl, Kaduŋ, Wùʃìmà, ɗə̀kdèy, Kwándarì, Rɔ̀k, Jàrkàn, Dùfyàm, Mícìji, and others. They are located in
Pankshin
Pankshin is a Local Government Area in Plateau State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Pankshin.
It has an area of 1,524 km and a population of 191,685 at the 2006 census.
Pankshin is popularly known for its trade hub as most o ...
LGA and
Mangu LGA,
Plateau State
Plateau State is the twelfth-largest Nigerian state. It is in the centre of the country includes a range of hills surrounding the Jos Plateau, its capital, and the entire plateau itself.
Plateau State is described as "The Home of Peace and To ...
. Surrounding languages are
Mwaghavul,
Ngas,
Pyem, and
Fulani.
[Blench, Roger. 2021. ]
The Kwaŋ language of Central Nigeria and its affinities
'.
Vaghat
The Vaghat originally lived in the following hill settlements in
Tafawa Balewa and
Bogoro LGAs in southwestern
Bauchi State.
[Blench, Roger. 2022. ]
Introduction to Vaghat language
'. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
*Akusha
*Anjere (no longer inhabited)
*Aruti
*Dala
*Goŋzi
*Gwoɓi (no longer inhabited). There is a cave where the skulls of Vaghat ancestors are kept.
*Kaduk (no longer inhabited)
*Kudal (central village where the chief lived)
*Kwafa
*Maŋgar
*Yaghap
*Yalas
*Yaŋ
*Yɔghɔs (Yaush)
*Yise
*Zhindir
Today, the Vaghat have also moved to many towns and settlements spread across
Bauchi State,
Plateau State
Plateau State is the twelfth-largest Nigerian state. It is in the centre of the country includes a range of hills surrounding the Jos Plateau, its capital, and the entire plateau itself.
Plateau State is described as "The Home of Peace and To ...
, and
Kaduna State
Kaduna State ( ha, Jihar Kaduna جىِهَر كَدُنا; ff, Leydi Kaduna, script=Latn, ; kcg, Sitet Kaduna) is a state in northern Nigeria. The state capital is its namesake, the city of Kaduna which happened to be the 8th largest city in ...
(mostly near
Zaria
Zaria is a metropolitan city in Nigeria which at the present time lies within four (4) local government areas in Kaduna state; it happens to be the capital city to the Zazzau Emirate Council, and one of the original seven Hausa city-states ...
).
Vaghat highland clans are: Āyàlàs, Àyìtūr, Àtòròk, Āyīpàɣí, Āyīgònì, Àyàkdàl, Àyánàvēr, Āyàtōl, Àyàʒíkʔìn, Àyìʤìlìŋ, Áyàshàlà, and Àzàrā.
Vaghat lowland clans are: Āyàlàs, Àyàkdàl, Àyàʒíkʔìn, Àyàgwàr, and Àyàgyēr.
The Vaghat people also have a cave in a mountain where they keep the skulls of their ancestors.
[Blench, Roger. 2022. ]
Skull-cults and soul arrows: the religion of the Vaghat people
'. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
Further reading
* Blench, Roger. 2021.
The Kwaŋ language of Central Nigeria and its affinities'. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
* Blench, Roger. 2022.
The Vaghat language of Central Nigeria'. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
* Blench, Roger. 2022.
Skull-cults and soul arrows: the religion of the Vaghat people'. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
References
{{Platoid languages
Tarokoid languages
Languages of Nigeria