Zimba

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
zmb
Population

120,000 (1994 census).

Location

Maniema Province, Kasongo territory, Mulu and Maringa collectivités.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, D, Lega-Kalanga (D.251)
Dialects

Binja (Soe, Sole), Kwange, Mamba (Kyenyemamba), Semalinga, Semulu (Kisembombo, Nyembombo, Semolo). Kwange and Mamba dialects may be separate languages. Lexical similarity: 55% with Bembe [bmb]; 50% with Lega-Mwenga [lgm], Lega-Shabunda [lea], Buyu [byi], Mituku [zmq], and Enya [gey]; 40% with Nyanga [nyj]; 34% with Bangubangu [bnx]; 32% with Komo [kmw].

Language Use

Most speak Binja dialect. Semulu dialect is spoken in the northeast, Semalinga in the west. Many also use Congo Swahili [swc].

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.