Languages of Angola
See language map.[See also SIL publications on the languages of Angola.]
Republic of Angola, República de Angola. 16,095,000. National or official languages: Portuguese, Kikongo, Kimbundu, Mbunda, Chokwe, Oshiwambo. Literacy rate: 30%. Information mainly from J. Bendor-Samuel and Hartell 1989; Redinha 1970. Blind population: 12,000. The number of individual languages listed for Angola is 42. Of those, 41 are living languages and 1 has no known speakers.
| Bolo | [blv]
2,630 (2000). Southeast of Luanda, Kwanza Sul.
Alternate names: Haka, Libolo, Lubolo.
Dialects: Related to Kimbundu [kmb], Songo [nsx], Sama [smd].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
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| Cokwe | [cjk]
456,000 in Angola (1991). Northeast Lunda District; east Bie, west Moxico, and central Cuando Cubango, Kunene, Malanje, Lunda Sul, Lunda Norte.
Alternate names: Chokwe, Ciokwe, Djok, Kioko, Quioco, Shioko, Tshokwe, Tschiokloe.
Dialects: Minungo, Ulanda, Ukhongo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Diriku | [diu]
24,000 in Angola. Southeast border with Namibia, between Kwangali and Ndonga.
Alternate names: Diriko, Gciriku, Mbogedo, Rugciriku, Shimbogedu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Diriku (K.70)
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| Holu | [hol]
23,100 in Angola (2000). Population total all countries: 28,200. Kwango River area. Also in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Alternate names: Holo, Kiholo, Kiholu.
Dialects: Holu, Yeci. Similar to Samba [smx]. Yeci may be a separate language. Related to Kimbundu [kmb].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Holu (K.10)
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| Khwe | [xuu]
790 in Angola (2000). Southeast corner, Huthembo (Wuthembo), northeast of Likuwa; Lukamba (Lukanga) west of Rivungu.
Alternate names: !Hukwe, Black, Bushman, Cazama, Glanda-Khwe, Hukwe, Kxoe, Kxoedam, “Mbarakwena” , “Mbarakwengo” , Schekere, Vazama, Water Bushmen, Xu, Xuhwe, Xun, Zama.
Dialects: Buma-Kxoe.
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northwest
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| Kikongo | [kng]
1,000,000 in Angola (2007 World Language Resources). North, along Congo River below Kinshasa; parts of Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Congo Kinshasa.
Alternate names: Cabinda, Congo, Kikoongo, Kongo, Koongo.
Dialects: South Kongo, South East Kongo, West Kongo (Fiote, Fioti), Ndingi, Mboka, Kisikongo, Kizombo, Kindibu, Kimanyanga, Kiwoyo (Cabinda), Kiyombe (Cabinda).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
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| Kilari | [ldi]
Northwest corner.
Alternate names: Laadi, Ladi, Lari.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
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| Kimbundu | [kmb]
3,000,000 (WA 1999). Includes 41,000 Ngola (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977). Northwest, Luanda Province.
Alternate names: Dongo, Kimbundo, Kindongo, Loanda Mbundu, Loande, Luanda, Lunda, Mbundu, N’bundo, Nbundu, Ndongo, North Mbundu.
Dialects: Njinga (Ginga, Jinga), Mbamba (Kimbamba, Bambeiro), Mbaka (Ambaquista), Ngola. Related to Songo [soo], Sama [smd], Bolo [blv], Bali [bcp]. Mbamba dialect may be a separate language.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
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| Kisikongo | [kwy]
328,000 in Angola (2000). North, along Congo River below Kinshasa.
Alternate names: Congo, San Salvador Congo, Kikongo, Kikoongo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
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| Kung-Ekoka | [knw]
1,640 in Angola (2000). Huíla, Kunene, Kuando Kubango (ILN). Primarily Namibia, Okavango, and Ovamboland Territory.
Alternate names: !Hu, !Ku, !Kung, !Xu, Ekoko-!Xû, Qxû.
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern
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| Kwadi | [kwz]
Extinct. Southwest corner, south of Namibe.
Alternate names: Bakoroka, Cuanhoca, Cuepe, Curoca, Koroka, Makoroko, Mucoroca.
Dialects: Zorotua (Vasorontu).
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Kwadi
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| Kwangali | [kwn]
10,900 in Angola (2000). South central, Kuando Kubango (município de Kwangar).
Alternate names: Cuangar, Kwangare, Kwangari, Rukwangali, Sikwangali.
Dialects: Sambyu (Shisambyu, Sambiu, Sambio).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
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| Lucazi | [lch]
155,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Population total all countries: 210,400. Southeast, adjacent areas, Moxico Province, Lucazi municipality. Kuando-Kubango: Mavinga until Kuito Kuanavale. Also in Namibia, Zambia.
Alternate names: Chiluchazi, Luchazi, Lujash, Lujazi, Lutchaz, Lutshase, Luxage, Ponda.
Dialects: Part of the Ngangela subgroup.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Luimbi | [lum]
43,900 (2000). Central, Cuanza River area, Bié Province.
Alternate names: Chiluimbi, Luimbe, Lwimbe, Lwimbi.
Dialects: Related to Nkangala [nkn] and Mbwela [mfu]; part of the Ngangela subgroup.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Lunda | [lun]
178,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Northeast, Lunda, Moxico provinces (Lunda-Ndembu).
Alternate names: Chilunda, Ruund.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Salampasu-Ndembo (K.30)
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| Luvale | [lue]
464,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Moxico, southeast provinces.
Alternate names: Chiluvale, Lovale, Lubale, Luena, Lwena.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Luyana | [lyn]
32,500 in Angola (2000). Southwest, east of Moçamedes (Namibe).
Alternate names: Louyi, Luana, Luano, Lui, Luyi, Rouyi.
Dialects: Kwandi, Mbowe (Esimbowe), Mdundulu (Ndundulu, Imilangu), Mishulundu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
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| Maligo | [mwj]
2,230 (2000).
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern
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| Mashi | [mho]
2,630 in Angola (2000). Kuando Kubango.
Alternate names: Kamaxi, Masi.
Dialects: North Kwandu, South Kwandu, Mashi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
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| Mbangala | [mxg]
22,300 (2000). North central, east of Luanda. Malanje: Marimba Province, Kela e Kambundi Katembu, Kahombo.
Alternate names: Bangala, Cimbangala.
Dialects: Mbangala, Yongo. Similar to Kimbundu [kmb].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Yaka (H.30)
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| Mbukushu | [mhw]
4,000 in Angola (Andersson and Janson 1997). Southeast corner, north bank of Okavango River.
Alternate names: Cusso, Gova, Kuso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimbukushu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
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| Mbunda | [mck]
135,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Southeast, Moxico Province.
Alternate names: Chimbunda, Mbuunda.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Mbwela | [mfu]
222,000 (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Central, east of Benguela. Kuando Kubango.
Alternate names: Ambuela, Ambuella, Mbuela, Mbwera, Shimbwera.
Dialects: Part of the Ngangela subgroup.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Ndombe | [ndq]
22,300 (2000). South and southeast of Benguela, Benguela Province.
Alternate names: Dombe.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
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| Ndonga | [ndo]
263,000 in Angola (2000 WCD).
Alternate names: Ambo, Ochindonga, Oshindonga, Osidonga.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20)
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| Ngandyera | [nne]
13,100 (2000). Southeast corner.
Dialects: Related to Oshiwambo [kua], Ndonga [ndo], Kwambi [kwm].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20)
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| Nkangala | [nkn]
22,300 (2000). Central, southeast of Mbwela.
Alternate names: Cangala, Ngangala.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Nkumbi | [khu]
150,000 in Angola (1996 UBS). Population total all countries: 150,100. Southwest, between Zemba, Luyana, Umbundu, Nyemba, and Nyaneka. Also in Namibia.
Alternate names: Khumbi, Ngumbi, Nkhumbi, Otjingumbi, Ocinkumbi.
Dialects: Nkumbi-mulondo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
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| Nyaneka | [nyk]
300,000 (1996 UBS). Southwest.
Alternate names: Lunyaneka, Nhaneka, Nhaneca, Olunyaneka.
Dialects: Humbe, Mwila (Olumuila, Muila, Huila), Ngambwe (Olungambwe), Handa, Cipungu, Cilenge.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
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| Nyemba | [nba]
222,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Population total all countries: 231,540. South central, Cuchi River area, southeast. Also in Namibia, Zambia.
Alternate names: Gangela, Ganguela, Ganguella, Ngangela, Nhemba.
Dialects: Part of Ngangela subgroup.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Nyengo | [nye]
9,380 (2000). Southeast corner.
Alternate names: Nhengo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
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| Oshiwambo | [kua]
421,000 in Angola (Johnstone 1993). Population total all countries: 668,000. South central. Also in Namibia.
Alternate names: Cuanhama, Humba, Kuanjama, Kwancama, Kwanjama, Kwanyama, Ochikwanyama, Oshikuanjama, Oshikwanyama, Ovambo, Oxikuanyama.
Dialects: Intelligible with Ndonga [ndo], Kwambi [kwm], Mbadja.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20)
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| !O!ung | [oun]
5,630 (2000). South border with Namibia, surrounded by Lucazi [lch].
Alternate names: !O!kung.
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern
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| Portuguese | [por]
57,600 in Angola (1993).
Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
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| Ruund | [rnd]
98,500 in Angola (2000). Northeast.
Alternate names: Chilu Wunda, Luunda, Muatiamvua, Northern Lunda, Ruwund, Uruund.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Salampasu-Ndembo (K.30)
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| Sama | [smd]
24,200 (2000). Coastal, south of Luanda, Bengo Kisama.
Alternate names: Kissama, Quissama.
Dialects: Related to Kimbundu [kmb], Songo [nsx], Bolo [blv].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
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| Songo | [nsx]
50,000 (1978 UBS). North central, Cuanza River area south of Malanje.
Alternate names: Nsongo, Sungu, Kimbundu.
Dialects: Related to Kimbundu [kmb], Sama [smd], Bolo [blv].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
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| Umbundu | [umb]
4,000,000 in Angola (1995 WA). Population total all countries: 4,002,880. West, Benguela District. Also in Namibia.
Alternate names: M’bundo, Mbali, Mbari, Mbundu Benguella, Nano, Ovimbundu, South Mbundu, Umbundo.
Dialects: Related to Nkumbi [khu], Ndombe [ndq], Nyaneka [nyk], Mbalundu [lnb].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
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| Yaka | [yaf]
200,000 in Angola (2000 SIL). North central corner, east of the Kongo. Uíge: município de kimbele.
Alternate names: Iaca, Iaka, Iyaka, Kiyaka.
Dialects: Yaka, Ngoongo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Yaka (H.30)
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| Yauma | [yax]
17,100 in Angola (2000). Population total all countries: 22,200. Southeast, Kwando (Cuando) River area. Also in Zambia.
Dialects: Part of the Ngangela subgroup.
Classification: Unclassified
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| Yombe | [yom]
39,400 in Angola (2000). Cabinda.
Alternate names: Bayombe, Iombe, Kiombi, Kiyombe.
Dialects: Mbala (Mumbala), Vungunya (Kivungunya, Yombe Classique).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
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| Zemba | [dhm]
18,000 in Angola (1996 UBS). Population total all countries: 22,000. Southwest corner. Also in Namibia.
Alternate names: Chimba, Dhimba, Dimba, Oluthimba, Otjidhimba, Simba, Tjimba.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.30)
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