Language Information

Fang is the major language of three countries on the west coast of Africa. It is spoken in southern Cameroon by about 1½ million people, in mainland Equatorial Guinea by about 200,000, and in northern Gabon by about 300,000. A Bantu language, it is closely related to Bulu, another language of Cameroon.

Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea.

Branch: Bantu

Writing Sample

Translation

Once upon a time the hen and the cockroach, who were good friends, lived in the same village. During the season when all the inhabitants of the village were engaged in working in the fields, the hen invited her friend with these words: "Friend, come with me into the forest to help me clear my field." The lazy cockroach excused himself saying: "Friend, I really cannot accompany you today, I have been having violent headaches; I will go another time." The hen proceeded to the forest alone. Upon her return that evening she was astonished to find the cockroach playing the tom-tom. Becoming angry, she ran after him and began to peck him. That is why since that time hens cannot look at cockroaches without pecking them.