Yasa language

Iyasa (Yasa, Yassa) is a Bantu language spoken in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea by the Iyasa and Ndowe coastal fishing peoples. It is also spoken by Pygmies, perhaps Babongo, in Gabon. Approximately 3,000 people speak Iyasa,^[3] though some note that this number may be an overestimation.^[4]

NativetoCameroon
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon

EthnicityYasa and Pygmies^[1]

Native speakers

(2,400 in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea cited 2000–2011)^[1]
unknown number in Gabon^[1]

Language family

Niger–Congo?

• Atlantic–Congo
  • Benue–Congo
    • Bantoid
      • Bantu (Zone A)
        • Sawabantu (A.30)
          • Kombe?
            • Iyasa

Quick facts Iyasa, Native to ...

Iyasa
Bongwe
Native to	Cameroon Equatorial Guinea Gabon
Ethnicity	Yasa and Pygmies[1]
Native speakers	(2,400 in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea cited 2000–2011)[1] unknown number in Gabon[1]
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Bantu (Zone A) Sawabantu (A.30) Kombe? Iyasa
Language codes
ISO 639-3	yko
Glottolog	yasa1242
Guthrie code	A.33a[2]
ELP	Iyasa
Yasa is classified as Definitely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.

Close

Iyasa also goes by the names Bongwe, Lyaasa, and Maasa. Dialects are Bweko, Vendo, Bodele, Marry, One, Asonga, Bomui, Mogana, Mooma, Mapanga. It may in turn be a dialect of Kombe. Speakers report that Kombe and Iyasa are almost perfectly mutually intelligible.^[5]