Mambwe-Lungu

A language of Zambia

ISO 639-3

mgr

Population

379,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 674,000.

Location

Northeast Northern Province south of Lake Tanganyika. Also in Tanzania.

Language Maps

Tanzania

Zambia

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Tongwe (M.14)

Dialects

Fipa-Mambwe (Kifipa cha Kimambwe), Lungu (Adong, Ichirungu, Rungu), Mambwe (Ichimambwe, Kimambwe). Uncertain intelligibility between Fipa-Mambwe [fip] (Tanzania) and other dialects. Minor dialect differences between Mambwe and Lungu.

Language Use

Home, community, market. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Dictionary. NT: 1901–1991.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Mambwe-Lungu

Writing

Latin script.

Also spoken in:

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Tanzania

Language nameMambwe-Lungu

Population

295,000 in Tanzania (2002 census). 230,000 ethnic Fipa speak Fipa-Mambwe Dialect. Ethnic population: 65,000 in Tanzania (2002 census).

Location

Rukwa Region, Sumbawanga Rural, Sumbawanga Urban, and far south Nkansi districts, Matanga village south to Zambia border, Lake Tanganyika west to Tunko village east.

Dialects

Fipa-Mambwe (Kifipa cha Kimambwe), Lungu (Cilungu, Icilungu, Kilungu, Kirungu, Rungu), Mambwe (Ichimambwe, Icimambwe, Kimambwe).

Status

6a (Vigorous).

Language Use

Swahili [swh] used in primary schools. English [eng] used in secondary schools. All domains except education and official government business. Many also use Fipa [fip].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

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Mambwe-Lungu

A language of Zambia

Also spoken in:

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Mambwe-Lungu

A language of Zambia

Also spoken in: