Guthrie (1967–1971) could not accept that Ekoid formed part of Bantu. His first improbable explanation was that its ‘Bantuisms’ resulted from speakers of a Bantu language being ‘absorbed’ by those who spoke a ‘Western Sudanic’ language, in other words, the apparent parallels, were simply a massive block of loanwords.
Guthrie (1967–1971) was unable to accept that Ekoid belonged to the Bantu group. His first unconvincing theory was that its ‘Bantuisms’ originated from speakers of a Bantu language being assimilated into those who spoke a ‘Western Sudanic’ language, essentially reducing the apparent parallels to a massive influx of loanwords.