Kpewi Durorp

written by Ekpe Inyang

Language of the Bororp of the Korup ethnic group

Kpewi Durorp is the third attempt at bringing Durorp into the public domain, and is a more detailed introduction to the language. It contains sixteen chapters which address important elements of grammar, with some including mini bilingual dictionaries, with words organised not alphabetically but thematically, with the singular aim of facilitating learning and easy acquisition of the language. Durorp is an interesting and linguistically distinct semi-Bantu or Bantoid language spoken by a minority group of people known as Bororp or people of the Kororp ethnic group. A part of this ethnic group inhabits the Southwestern part of Cameroon while the other occupies the Southeastern tip of Nigeria. A minority group, Kororp has continued to suffer not only cultural and socio-economic shrinkage but also linguistic marginalisation characterised by an obvious erosion of some key elements of the language. Like any other language, however, Durorp has borrowings from languages such as Efik, Ejagham, and even English. There is a Durorp-English Dictionary to facilitate the development of Durorp vocabulary (Langaa, 2013).

Ekpe Inyang

Ekpe Inyang hails from Korup and holds an MSc degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Strathclyde, UK. He has many years of experience, having worked, in different capacities, with the World Wide Fund for Nature, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Pan African Institute for Development—West Africa (PAID-WA) in Cameroon. He is author of several scientific articles and textbooks on environmental education, and has distinguished himself as a committed playwright. The Hill Barbers is his eighth play. His other plays are: Professor Adoniah, Beware, The Sacred Forest, The Swamps, The Game, Water Na Life, and The Last Hope.