Kimbundu

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A language of Angola

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

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São Tomé e Príncipe

Language NameKimbundu

User Population

160 in São Tomé e Príncipe (2019 D. Eberhard). Ethnic population: 3,000 (2019 D. Eberhard).

Location

São Tomé province: Água Grande (town of Bairro da Liberdade), Lobata (town of Agostinho Neto), and Mé Zóxi (town of Monte Café) districts.

Alternate Names

Tonga

Dialects

None known. Two variants are recognized by speakers: Kimbundu and Mbundu. Kimbundu variant spoken in Monte Café, and Mbundu variant spoken in Agostinho Neto and Bairro da Liberdade. Only partially mutually intelligible (2019 D. Eberhard).

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Youngest speakers in their 50s (2019 D. Eberhard). Older adults only. Shifted to Portuguese [por]. Some also use Kabuverdianu [kea].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Spoken by descendants of indentured servants from Angola. Some pejorative attitudes within broader society (2019 D. Eberhard).

View other languages of São Tomé e Príncipe

Kimbundu

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A language of Angola

Also spoken in:

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