Mbala

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
mdp
Alternate Names
Rumbala
Autonym
Gimbala
User Population

200,000 (Nida 1972).

Location

Kwilu province: Bulungu-Kikwit territory, Kipuka, Kwilu-Kimbata, and Luniungu sectors; Masi-Manimba territory, Bindungi, Kinzenga, Kitoy, Mokamo, Mosango, Pay-Kongila, and Sungu sectors.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbala-Hunganna (H.41)
Dialects

None known. Lexical similarity: 56% with Kwese [kws], 49% with Samba [smx], 47% with Hungana [hum], 46% with Phende [pem], 40% with Ngongo [noq].

Language Use

Used by all. Also use Kituba [ktu].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1931–1968.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mbala
Writing

Latin script [Latn].