Gurma

Gurma, also known as Gourmantché or Gourmanchema, is a language spoken by the Gourmanché people in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo. It belongs to the Oti-Volta branch of the Gur languages, a subgroup of the Niger-Congo language family. While dialects exist, the language is generally mutually intelligible across the regions where it is spoken.

The Gourmanché people are primarily agriculturalists and herders, and their culture is rich in traditions, music, and oral history. The Gourma language plays a central role in preserving and transmitting this cultural heritage. Efforts have been made to promote literacy and education in Gourma, with some schools offering instruction in the language.

The number of Gourma speakers is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, though precise figures can vary. The language faces challenges from the dominance of national languages like French in official capacities, as well as the influence of other widely spoken regional languages. Nevertheless, Gourma remains a vital aspect of the Gourmanché identity and community life.