Kimbu

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A language of Tanzania

Alternate Names

Ikibungu, Kikimbu, Yanzi

User Population

62,700 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009), decreasing.

Mbeya region: Chunya district, Kipembawe ward; Singida region: Manyoni district; Tabora region: Sikonge district.

Language Maps

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Sukuma-Nyamwezi (F.24)

None known. Lexical similarity: 61% with Nilamba [nim], 57% with Sukuma [suk], 53% with Nyaturu [rim], 48% with Sumbwa [suw], 47% with Langi [lag].

Vigorous. Negative attitudes. Low prestige such that in some areas, speakers identify themselves to outsiders as being from other ethnic groups. Also use Nyamwezi [nym]. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Kimbu

Unwritten [Qaax].

Seminomadic. Christian.