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Congo. Greenberg (1970) named it Adamawa-Eastern, Samarin (1971) suggested the
name Adamawa-Ubangian, and Boyd (1989) finally settles on the present name.
In this section, I will look first at the external relationships of Adamawa-Ubangi,
discussing its place within Niger-Congo and its relationship to closely related languages.
Then, I will turn to its internal relationships, focusing on the Ubangi group.
Ubangi:
For reference, here is the classification which Boyd (1989) gives for Adamawa-
(5) Adamawa-Ubangi classification
Adamawa [6A]
I. Leko [6A2], Duru [6A4], Mumuye/Yendang [6A5], Nimbari [6A12]
II. Mbum [6A6], Bua [6A13], Kim [6A14], Day
III. (?) Waja [6A1], Longuda [6A10], Yungur (?) [6A7], Jen [6A9]
Ubangi [6B]
I. Gbaya [6B1]
II. A. Banda [6B2]
B. Ngbandi [6B3]
C. 1. Sere [6B6]
2. a. Ngbaka [6B5]
b. Mba [6B7, 6B8]
III. Zande [6B4]
He states that two groups, Daka [6A3] and Fali [6A11], which Greenberg
classified as Adamawa, should be excluded from the group. In addition, he does not state
how Greenberg’s Kam [6A8] group fits into his classificatory scheme.
C.4.1 Adamawa-Ubangi external relationships
There are two issues of external relationship which need to be considered with
respect to the Adamawa-Ubangi group. First is the question of whether Adamawa-Ubangi
should be included in Niger-Congo. Second is the question of the relationship of
Adamawa-Ubangi to its closest neighbors.
Westermann (1927) did not include Adamawa-Ubangi within his West Sudanic
family. One of Greenberg’s (1970) major claims, beside that of including Bantu in Niger-
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