Kimbu

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
kiv
Alternate Names
Ikibungu, Kikimbu, Yanzi
Population

78,000 (1987), decreasing.

Location

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

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

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

Lexical similarity: 61% with Nilamba [nim], 57% with Sukuma [suk], 53% with Nyaturu [rim], 48% with Sumbwa [suw], 47% with Langi [lag].

Language Use

Vigorous. Negative attitudes. Low prestige. In some areas, speakers identify themselves to outsiders as being from other ethnic groups. Some also use Swahili [swh] or Nyamwezi [nym]. Most have less than routine proficiency in Swahili.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kimbu
Writing
Unwritten.
Other Comments

Seminomadic. Christian.