Language Information
Spoken in: Sierra Leone, Liberia
Number of Speakers: Approximately 1.5 million people
Language Family: Niger-Congo, Mande, Southwestern Mande, Mende-Bandi
Region: Southern and eastern Sierra Leone, western Liberia
Writing Systems: Mende Kikakui script (traditional), Latin alphabet
Status: Major regional language with rich oral traditions and indigenous script
Message
Ngɔ woŋ ke waaŋi hu᷆ŋa kɛlɛ lɔ, yɛlɛi lɔ lɔɔ kɛ ta, kɛ wɔi. Hine ngɔ ni Nyaa-huŋa ngɔ kɛɛ — hu᷆ŋi kɛlɛ a ma kɛ.
If you don't feed your body, it weakens and eventually dies. The soul and Spirit alike. Feed them too.