Bamum Letter Phase-E Mae

Its reading depends on the Bamum phase.

Across Phases A–D, 𖦸 follows the Phase-D sign 𖥥, Faa, in faamae, the written form for “eight.” In Phase E, the catalogue calls 𖦸 Mae; that phase-specific label is not a guide to modern Bamum pronunciation.

Bamum writing changed through successive phases. Early systems relied heavily on picture-like signs and signs for words; later phases moved toward signs for syllables. Phase F also reused some older glyphs with new values, so the phase matters when reading a historical form.

It belongs to historical Bamum, not new spelling

Lerewa, the first version of the Bamum script, was completed around 1897 with help from royal advisers.

Njoya and his scribes developed Bamum writing to record knowledge and public life, including history, traditional medicine, maps, correspondence and folktales; palace schools taught it. New Bamum spelling uses the later Phase-G system.

For a historical transcription or catalogue entry, retain 𖦸 as the sign in the source; do not substitute it into new Phase-G spelling.

Why does 𖦸 show as a box?

A missing Bamum font is the usual cause.

In 2026, Noto Sans Bamum’s font documentation lists support for Bamum and Bamum Supplement characters. If 𖦸 appears as an empty box or blank, the app’s current font may lack historic Bamum coverage; changing the font affects display, not the character’s meaning.