Njebi language

The Njebi language (also known as Injebi, Nzebi, Ndzebi, Mindzabi, or Bandjabi) is a Bantu language spoken primarily in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. It is classified within the B group of Bantu languages, specifically B.50 (Njebi).

Njebi is spoken by the Njebi people, an ethnic group inhabiting the regions of central Gabon (particularly the provinces of Nyanga and Ngounié) and parts of the Republic of the Congo. The number of speakers is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, although precise figures are difficult to obtain.

The language has various dialects, exhibiting regional variations in pronunciation and vocabulary. While there is a degree of literacy in Njebi, it is also a language that relies heavily on oral tradition for preserving culture and history.

Efforts have been made to document and standardize the language, including the development of an orthography and the creation of written materials such as dictionaries and religious texts. However, Njebi faces challenges common to many minority languages, including the dominance of national languages like French (in both Gabon and Congo) and urbanization, which can lead to language shift among younger generations. The preservation and promotion of Njebi are ongoing concerns for linguists and cultural organizations.