Zeem language

Zeem
RegionBauchi State
Native speakers
400 (2003)
Dialects
  • Zeem (†)
  • Caari
  • Danshe (†)
  • Lushi (?)
  • Dyarim
  • Tule (†)
Language codes
ISO 639-3Variously:
zem  Zeem
cxh  Chaʼari
dsk  Dokshi
dyr  Dyarim
tvi  Tulai
Glottologzeem1242  Zeem
dyar1234  Dyarim
dans1239  Chaari
lush1256  Dokshi
nucl1693  Tulai
ELPZeem

Zeem, or Chaari, is an endangered Chadic dialect cluster of Nigeria, whose speakers are shifting to Hausa. Dyarim is closely related.

The Zeem language is spoken in Toro LGA, Bauchi State. The Tulai and Danshe dialects are no longer spoken. It is also called Chaari, Dokshi, Dyarum, Kaiwari, Kaiyorawa, Lukshi, and Lushi.

Dyarim had been influenced by Beromic languages during a time when Beromic was more widespread.