Thank you for choosing Learn Bamum as your place to study the Bamum script and language. Below you will find the Bamum alphabet, as well as an updated spelling of each Bamum character, known as the "Woodard Phonetic" version of Bamum. This phonetic spelling was created by Tramel Woodard, as a way to help students better pronounce and understand the Bamum language.
King Ibrahim
NjoyaKing Ibrahim Njoya was the 17th king of Bamum in western Cameroon. He is credited with developing the Bamum script, a system for writing in the Bamum language. Ibrahim was successful in completing the Bamum alphabet, called the a-ka-u-ku, which is comprised of 73 signs in total.
Below is the a-ka-u-ku alphabet using the Unicode standard romanization. This romanization was optimized for pronunciation of the Bamum alphabet. The Unicode standard romanization can be extremely helpful for learners of the Bamum language, who will emphasize their correct pronunciation.
Below is the a-ka-u-ku alphabet using the Woodard standardized romanization. This romanization was created by Tramel Woodard in order to best assist in the implementation of Bamum computer and smartphone keyboard entry. This alphabet is only officially recognized by Tramel Woodard, The Bamum Project, Learn Bamum and the Bamum Technical Organization.
Bamum can now be typed on Windows using our downloadable keyboard. MacOS version coming later.
Bamum phrases are short sentences, idioms and sayings that are useful for travel and basic communication, such as "Hello, how are you?" and "What is your name?"
Coming SoonStudy Phrases Back to TopLessons are ordered collections of conversations in different settings, such as the airport, school or the supermarket. Lessons can be referenced for daily life in the Bamum kingdom, or amongst Bamum-speaking friends and family.
Coming SoonStudy Lessons Back to TopBamum reading will be a collection of articles written in Bamum, using both Woodard romanization as well as the Bamum script. Reading artiles will allow the student to think and speak completely in the Bamum language.
Coming SoonPractice Reading Back to TopThe Bamum dictionary is a comprehensive search engine, where students can find individual words to strengthen their sentence structure and conversation. Students can reference singular words, such as "African", "black" and "happy".
Coming SoonSearch Dictionary Back to Top