Gura language
| Gura | |
|---|---|
| Gùrá | |
| Native to | Nigeria |
| Region | Toro LGA, Bauchi State |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | bma |
| Glottolog | gura1253 |
| Gùrá[1] | |
|---|---|
| Person | Gùrá |
| People | Màgùrá |
Gura (Gùrá) is a Jarawan language spoken in Toro LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria. It is one of the Lame languages.[1]
A preliminary dictionary of Gura was compiled by Roger Blench in 2025.[2]
Background
Gura speakers are primarily subsistence farmers who grow sorghum, millet, yams, and cowpeas. 90% of Gura speakers are Muslims, although there is also a Christian minority.[3]
There three major clans (nzali), each of which is led by a chief (ntuŋ) and has four lineages (ndo).[3]
Distribution
Gura is spoken in 10 villages in Toro LGA, Bauchi State. The village names below are all in the Gura language, except for 3 villages (Saya, Kulfana, and Rafi Ciwo) that have Hausa names.[1]
- Saya (Hausa name)
- Fishere
- Mɔttɔ
- Gùrádē
- Ríígà
- Kúlfànà (Hausa name)
- Cɔ̀kɔ̀
- Zàlàw
- Rafi Ciwo (Hausa name)
- Jáwándò
Phonology
Gura has six vowels, which are /a, e, i, o, u, ɨ/. All vowels have length contrast except for /ɨ/. Similarly, neighbouring West Chadic languages also tend to have six vowels.[3]
Gura has two level tones, as well as a falling tone.[3]
Plural nouns are marked by the prefix mV̀-.[3]
There is a frozen noun class system.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 Blench, Roger. 2025. An introduction to Gura [bma, a previously undocumented Jarawan Bantu language of Central Nigeria]. Cambridge: Kay William Educational Foundation (KWEF).
- ↑ Blench, Roger. 2025. Gura dictionary. Cambridge: Kay William Educational Foundation (KWEF).
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Blench, Roger. 2026. The Jarawan Bantu languages in Nigeria; what is new research telling us? 15 July 2026, Jos Linguistic Circle.