Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 16, 2026

Kakanda language

Kakanda is a Nupoid language of Nigeria. Kakanda is spoken in and around Kupa and Eggan. There are scattered villages stretching from the Niger-Benue confluence to as far as Muregi. There are at least 10,000 people. It is most closely related to Gupa and Kupa, although there are also some similarities with Ebira.

Last revised
Jul 16, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
129 w
Citations
4
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Kakanda
Hyabe
Native toNigeria
RegionNiger State, Kwara State, FCT
Native speakers
100,000 (2008)1
Niger–Congo?
Language codes
ISO 639-3kka
Glottologkaka1264

Kakanda (also known as Akanda or Hyabe2) is a Nupoid language of Nigeria. Kakanda is spoken in and around Kupa and Eggan (near the Niger-Benue confluence). There are scattered villages stretching from the Niger-Benue confluence to as far as Muregi. There are at least 10,000 people. It is most closely related to Gupa and Kupa, although there are also some similarities with Ebira.2

Baka is a Kakanda-speaking town. Blench (2019) lists Kakanda–Budon and Kakanda–Gbanmi/Sokun as dialects.3

References

References

  1. Kakanda at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. Blench, Roger. 2013. The Nupoid languages of west-central Nigeria: overview and comparative word list.
  3. Blench, Roger (2019). An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (4th ed.). Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.