Tumbuka

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A language of Malawi

ISO 639-3
tum
Alternate Names
Citumbuka, Tamboka, Tambuka, Timbuka, Tombucas, Tumboka
Autonym
Chitumbuka
User Population

1,950,000 in Malawi (2020 World Factbook), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 2,316,000.

Location

Chitipa and Karonga districts: Lake Malawi west shore; Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Rumphi, and Mzimba districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

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

Chitumbuka, Chikamanga (Henga, Kamanga), Nenya, Poka (Chipoka, Phoka), Yombe, Senga, Nthali, Fungwe, Wenya, Hewe (Hewa).

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1957–2017.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tumbuka
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Kandawire and Fulirwa are clans, not dialects. Christian, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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