Muntumbudie is a language spoken by the lake-dwelling Akele people, and it belongs to one of the most widely scattered languages in Gabon. The languages from this group can be found in the north-east of the country (Makokou province), the south-east (Franceville province), the south (near Malinga) and the west (near Lambaréné). Little is known about the migratory movements of this group.

As part of the Sorosoro project, a study was undertaken in May and June 2009 which showed firstly that the Akele did not use the waterways to settle in their current territory, and secondly that they are very close linguistically to another tribe, the Tombidi. The Tombidi are mainly settled near Malinga in the village of Rébé, which is over 300 kilometres away from the current Akele settlement.

The linguistic proximity of these two groups indicates that a separation occurred two or three centuries ago. Today however, both the Muntumbudie-speakers and the Tombidi are unaware of their shared history.

Presentation of the Akele language

Linguist: Jean-Marie Hombert
Camera and sound: Luc-Henri Fage
Editing : Caroline Laurent