The Small Bang

Abstract

Language isolates, often viewed as remnants of past linguistic diversity, are predominantly spoken at the edges of dominant linguistic areas. This study explores the origins of the Bangime isolate and its Bangande speakers. By correlating loan words associated with agriculture with interdisciplinary data, the paper focuses on West African crops like millet and sorghum to suggest a Bangande migration timeline. This research contributes to a study on the origins of loan words for plants and animals linked to their domestication in West Africa. Preliminary results indicate a link between early Bangime speakers and Mande communities, especially the Soninke-Bozo. It is yet to be determined if the Bangande originally farmed in their present territories or elsewhere.