Jibu

Jibu is part of the Central Jukunoid group of the Atlantic-Congo languages. It is spoken by about 30,000 people in Taraba State in eastern Nigeria. In particular, Jibu speakers live to the north of the Mambila Plateau and east of Wukari in the towns of Garbabi and Gayam.

Other names for Jibu include Jibanchi, Jibanci and Jibawa. There are two main dialects: Garbabi and Gayam. The former is seen as more prestigious. Jibu is closely related to Waphan, which is also spoken in Taraba State.

Jibu was first documented in the 1930s. It is written with the Latin script. It was originally written with a orthography based on Americanist Phonetic Notation. A somewhat modified version is currently used. A Jibu translation of the New Testament of the Bible was published in 1998.

Jibu alphabet and pronunciation

Notes

Vowels are nasal when a syllable ends with an n.

Download an alphabet chart for Jibu (Excel)

Sample text (The Lord's Prayer - Luke 11: 2-4)

Yesu dinya big n rag, “Wà ná vig Shìdun, aning dang rag, ‘Tayí wà mà wai, á sa mpìrká abig wib zìnnwú. Byar shu kùrwú aku bi á byaryí ni.
A ya yi buju àyúnn ma àyúnn.
A yafa ya yi bu pyìrká yi ri sa, àràg barà yi ri yafa ya mpìrká ri sa yi bu-à bibai níng. Kada á fim yi ayi sa bu-à bibai bàna.’ ”

Source: https://www.bible.com/bible/2396/LUK.11.JIB

Translation

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Source: https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.11.KJV

Sample videos

Information about Jibu | Numbers

Links

Information about Jibu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jibu_language
https://www.academia.edu/85039621/Jibu_dictionary
https://www.sil.org/resources/search/language/jib

Atlantic-Congo languages

Bandial, Bariba, Berom, Cebaara, Efik, Esimbi, Ibibio, Iceve-Maci, Jibu, Kambari, Kar, Kissi, Kom, Laalaa, Limba, Mbum, Mono, Mundang, Noon, Obolo, Safen, Supyire, Temne, Ubang, Yemba

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 20.03.24. Last modified: 20.03.24

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