Kimbundu

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Angola

ISO 639-3
kmb
Alternate Names
Kimbundo, Loanda Mbundu, Loande, Luanda, Lunda, Mbundu, N’bundo, Nbundu, North Mbundu
Autonym
Kimbundu
User Population

1,700,000 in Angola (2015 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 6,000,000 (2015 L. Jordan). Total users in all countries: 1,700,160.

Location

Widespread northwest, mainly Bengo, Kuanza Norte, and Malanje provinces; adjacent areas in Kuanza Sul, Luanda, and Uíge provinces.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Established 15th century. Spread in northwestern Angola under Portuguese colonialism (16th century) and Methodist missionary influence (1880s).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kimbundu (H.21)
Dialects

Njinga (Ginga, Jinga), Mbamba (Bambeiro, Kimbamba), Mbaka (Ambaquista), Ngola, Ndongo (Dongo, Kindongo), Kisama (Kissama, Quissama, Sama), Ngongembo. Mbamba dialect may be a separate language.

Language Use

Most also use Kibala [blv]. Used as L2 by Kibala [blv].

Language Development

Taught at teacher training colleges in the provinces of Luanda, Bengo, Cuanza Norte and Malanje. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1980.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kimbundu
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

Expand All
Collapse All