DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49270#0166
Nungu
93
In Mama we have bari (=2) and tanzabari (=7), iyenu (=4) and tinzhenu (=9).
These last two are even more closely allied than the spelling indicates, for the actual
difference is very slight between the sounds which in the former was reduced in writing to
iy- and in the latter to zh-. In each the tongue is in contact with the palate, and the teeth
are not closed, the regulating shade of difference seeming to be determined by the first
syllable in tinzhenu.
In Ninzam there is etohi (=5) which with iri (= 1) seems to give tanre (=6). With
the ajbove-mentioned -ba termination for two, eton (= 5) gives tanba (=7), while with
itra ( = 3) gives tandra (=8).
Further, it is noticed that although the numerals from one to ten in the respective
languages differ widely, the numerals for eleven and twelve have an obvious similarity.
Thus, eleven in Nungu is opo; in South Macla helaiobo (the last two syllables therefore
equivalating -opo); in Mama po, and in Ninzam ipo. Twelve is in Nungu oso; in South
Mada eswo; in Mama so, and in Ninzam tso. It seems natural, therefore, to infer that
these two numerals for eleven and twelve have not been influenced by the causes mak-
ing for divergence to anything like the extent that the other ten have. But as the
only cause discernible is the passage of time, it would seem (unless these conclusions are
refuted by data collected from the remaining tribes in the future) that the names for
eleven and twelve must be comparatively modern additions to what were formerly, as
shown by internal evidence, quinary and decimal systems.
The decimal system is now being very gradually reverted to by dropping the numerals
for eleven and twelve and forming the higher numbers on multiples of ten. This is due to
increasing intercourse with the Hausa and Yoruba traders and the surrounding tribes
which, until the establishment of the British administration, did not dare to enter these
parts.
Numeration
0
Q
Nungu
South Mada
Mama
Ninzam
1
1
iri, or ndindi
eren, -etye (in compounds)
mo'on
iri
2
2
aha
ehe
bari
aha
3
3
acha
echa
taru
itra
4
4
anne
enye
iyenu
nza
5
5
ata
atono
tonnu
eton
6
6
ndra
afini
tanza
tanrebari
7
7
tamba
afwa
tanzabari
tanba
8
8
sene
afwotara
yanga
tandra
9
9
sane
afwunye
tinzhenu
chra
10
t
owo
ekobo
lum
uru
11
e
opo
helaiobo
PO
ipo
12
10
oso
eswo
so
tso
93
In Mama we have bari (=2) and tanzabari (=7), iyenu (=4) and tinzhenu (=9).
These last two are even more closely allied than the spelling indicates, for the actual
difference is very slight between the sounds which in the former was reduced in writing to
iy- and in the latter to zh-. In each the tongue is in contact with the palate, and the teeth
are not closed, the regulating shade of difference seeming to be determined by the first
syllable in tinzhenu.
In Ninzam there is etohi (=5) which with iri (= 1) seems to give tanre (=6). With
the ajbove-mentioned -ba termination for two, eton (= 5) gives tanba (=7), while with
itra ( = 3) gives tandra (=8).
Further, it is noticed that although the numerals from one to ten in the respective
languages differ widely, the numerals for eleven and twelve have an obvious similarity.
Thus, eleven in Nungu is opo; in South Macla helaiobo (the last two syllables therefore
equivalating -opo); in Mama po, and in Ninzam ipo. Twelve is in Nungu oso; in South
Mada eswo; in Mama so, and in Ninzam tso. It seems natural, therefore, to infer that
these two numerals for eleven and twelve have not been influenced by the causes mak-
ing for divergence to anything like the extent that the other ten have. But as the
only cause discernible is the passage of time, it would seem (unless these conclusions are
refuted by data collected from the remaining tribes in the future) that the names for
eleven and twelve must be comparatively modern additions to what were formerly, as
shown by internal evidence, quinary and decimal systems.
The decimal system is now being very gradually reverted to by dropping the numerals
for eleven and twelve and forming the higher numbers on multiples of ten. This is due to
increasing intercourse with the Hausa and Yoruba traders and the surrounding tribes
which, until the establishment of the British administration, did not dare to enter these
parts.
Numeration
0
Q
Nungu
South Mada
Mama
Ninzam
1
1
iri, or ndindi
eren, -etye (in compounds)
mo'on
iri
2
2
aha
ehe
bari
aha
3
3
acha
echa
taru
itra
4
4
anne
enye
iyenu
nza
5
5
ata
atono
tonnu
eton
6
6
ndra
afini
tanza
tanrebari
7
7
tamba
afwa
tanzabari
tanba
8
8
sene
afwotara
yanga
tandra
9
9
sane
afwunye
tinzhenu
chra
10
t
owo
ekobo
lum
uru
11
e
opo
helaiobo
PO
ipo
12
10
oso
eswo
so
tso