🇳🇬 Language

Rigwe

Evidence: Well documented

Rigwe is a language spoken in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, according to Roger Blench's Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020), which classifies it as Plateau (Central, South–central subgroup).

Key facts
Type
Language
Belongs to
Plateau
Glottocode
irig1241
Overview

Rigwe is a language spoken in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, according to Roger Blench's Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020), which classifies it as Plateau (Central, South–central subgroup). Other names include Aregwe, Irigwe, ɾȉgʷȅ, Miango, Nyango, Kwal. It is also spoken in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State. The Atlas cites speaker figures of 13,500 (HDG); 40,000 (UBS 1985). Its dialects are Northern (Kwan) and Southern (Miango). The New Testament translation is complete and the Old Testament is in progress; there are some radio broadcasts in Plateau State, and the orthography is used for texting and on Facebook. The Atlas records it as not currently endangered. Glottolog lists it as Irigwe.

Connections
Other names
  • Aregwe · spelling variant
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 1.A: alternate spelling of the name.
  • Irigwe · spelling variant
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 1.A: alternate spelling of the name.
  • Kwal · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Kwan · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Kwoll · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Miango · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Nyango · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • ɾȉgʷȅ · endonym
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 1.B: the speakers' own name for the language.
Sources
  1. An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020 edition) — Roger Blench, Kay Williamson Educational Foundation / McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, 2020 · Academic source · link (accessed 24 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Rigwe: location, classification, other names, speakers
  2. Glottolog language index (resourcemap) — Glottolog · Academic source · link (accessed 26 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Glottocode irig1241
How evidence is graded
  • Verified: Supported by an official source, or by two or more independent sources that agree.
  • Well documented: Supported by credible sources, but not yet independently confirmed.
  • Reported: Found in a credible source; further corroboration is welcome.
  • Needs corroboration: The evidence is thin or incomplete; more sources are being sought.
  • Disputed: Credible sources or community accounts disagree; the differing accounts are noted.
  • Uncertain: There is not yet enough information to classify this responsibly.

Sources are marked official, academic, reference, community or general web. Sources that copy each other count as one. Oral traditions are recorded as traditions, not as proven fact.

Archive ID: LANG-RIGWE · Last updated 30 September 2026. Spotted an error or have a source to add? Tell us.

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