Bemba

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Zambia

ISO 639-3
bem
Alternate Names
Chibemba, Chiwemba, Cibemba, Ichibemba, Wemba
Autonym
IciBemba
User Population

3,810,000 in Zambia (2010 census), decreasing. 3,730,000 Bemba, 12,800 Chishinga, 37,900 Kabende, 15,000 Lunda, 1,680 Mukulu, 11,500 Unga (2010 census). Ethnic population: 2,890,000 (2010 census). 2,630,000 Bemba, 64,400 Chishinga, 45,000 Kabende, 119,000 Lunda, 5,130 Mukulu, 24,900 Unga (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 4,110,000.

Location

Eastern, Luapula, Muchinga, and Northern provinces; possibly Copperbelt province.

Language Maps
Language Status

2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in North, Copperbelt, and Luapula provinces. Town Bemba is a widely used lingua franca in urban areas, with higher social status than other languages except English [eng], and is used for educational and administrative purposes.

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Bemba (M.42)
Dialects

Lembue, Lomotua (Lomotwa), Ngoma, Nwesi, Town Bemba, Lunda (Luapula), Chishinga, Kabende, Mukulu, Ng’umbo, Twa of Bangweulu, Unga. Town Bemba has a Bemba base with heavy code mixing with English and neighboring Bantu languages.

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Used by all. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary schools in grades 1–4. Newspapers. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1956–2003.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bemba
Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Expand All
Collapse All