A word on the Menik language…

Menik is a Niger-Congo language (North Atlantic branch, West Atlantic group, Tenda subgroup). It separates into three dialects: Banapas, Biwol and Bëñolo. The filming took place in Bandafassi, area of Kedougou, in Banapas dialect. An endangered language, Bapen, older that Menik, was discovered in 1961 by linguist Marie-Paul Ferry. This language could very well be the “mother” of the Menik and Oniyan (Bassari) languages. Our filming took place in Bandafassi, area of Kedougou, in Banapas dialect.

In 2002, the Christian NTM (New Tribes Mission) missionaries, who were the second to work on the language, estimated 3,380 Bedik were living in Senegal at the time.

With a few thousand speakers at the most, Menik can clearly be considered endangered on a relatively short term. However, it has been observed that the language is still being handed down to the young generations despite the fact that a majority of people in these villages speaks fluent Fula, Mandinka (Malinké) and French, used daily.

Speakers of Menik, although perfectly accustomed to the environing culture and bearing a great sense of adaptability to the languages they’re in contact with, are linked with a strong feeling of identity that protects their language.

Access description sheet on Menik

The videos in Menik

State of the language

Introduction to Menik

Linguist Adjaratou Oumar Sall, from the University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, gives us here a concise presentation of the Menik language, illustrated by some of the material shot by Sorosoro.

More info here

Linguist: Adjaratou Oumar Sall
Bedik area, image & sound: Muriel Lutz assisted by Cheikh Tidiane Sall
Adjaratou’s interview, image & sound: Mathias de Vulpian
Editing: Caroline Laurent
Video created within the ANR Sénélangues project

Tales and narratives

The orphan avenged by the forest
More info here

The adventures of Tama the hyena

More info here

The monkey who turned into a young woman
More info here

The young girl who wanted to drink beer
More info here

Linguist: Adjaratou Oumar Sall
Image & sound: Muriel Lutz assisted by Cheikh Tidiane Sall
Translation: Marcel Camara
Editing: Caroline Laurent
Video created within the ANR Sénélangues project

Little words for everyday use

Colors

Days of the week

Linguist: Adjaratou Oumar Sall
Image & sound: Muriel Lutz assisted by Cheikh Tidiane Sall
Translation: Marcel Camara
Editing: Caroline Laurent
Video created within the ANR Sénélangues project