Lomwe, Malawi

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A language of Malawi

ISO 639-3
lon
Alternate Names
Anguru, Elhomwe, Nguru
Population

850,000 (2012).

Location

Southeast, Southern Region, south of Lake Kilwa, south of the Yao [yao] and northeast of the Sena [swk] language areas, east of Blantyre.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Mixed language, Makhua-Nyanja
Dialects

Mihavane, Muhavani. Not intelligible with Lomwe [ngl] of Mozambique. Different from Ngulu [ngp] (Kingulu) of Tanzania. Similar to Takwane [tke].

Typology

SVO

Language Use

Vigorous. Also use Chichewa [nya].

Language Development
Approved orthography. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2010.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lomwe, Malawi
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Nguru is derogatory if used by an outsider; a signal of close identity if used by an insider. Elhomwe is the official name. Traditional religion, Christian.