Languages of Mozambique
See language map.[See also SIL publications on the languages of Mozambique.]
Republic of Mozambique, República de Moçambique. 20,533,000. National or official language: Portuguese. Literacy rate: 20%. Immigrant languages: English (1,400), French (1,000), Greek (6,000), Gujarati (20,000), Kabuverdianu (1,000), Korean (20,000), Mandarin Chinese (7,000), Romanian (600), Russian (2,000), Standard German (2,000). Also includes Chinese (7,000), and languages of India (15,000). Information mainly from P. Afido, G. Firmino, J. Heins, S. Mbuub and M. Trinta 1989; R. B. Boeder 1984; J. Rennie 1973. Blind population: 28,000 (1982 WCE). The number of individual languages listed for Mozambique is 43. Of those, all are living languages.
| Barwe | [bwg]
17,000 (2006). Tete Province.
Alternate names: Balke, Cibalke.
Dialects: Probably have good comprehension of Nyungwe [nyu] or Sena [seh].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.40), Sena
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| Chopi | [cce]
760,000 (2006). South coast, north of Limpopo River. Center is Quissico, south part of Zavala District, 100 km coastal strip between Inharrime and Chidunguela.
Alternate names: Cicopi, Copi, Shichopi, Shicopi, Tschopi, Txitxopi, Txopi.
Dialects: Copi, Ndonge, Lengue (Lenge, Kilenge), Tonga, Lambwe, Khambani. Many dialects; all mutually inherently intelligible. Lexical similarity: 44% with Gitonga [toh].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Chopi (S.60)
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| Chuwabu | [chw]
947,000 (2006). Central coast between Quelimane and the Mlanje Mountains.
Alternate names: Chichwabo, Chuabo, Chuwabo, Chwabo, Cicuabo, Cuabo, Cuwabo, Echuabo, Echuwabo, Txuwabo.
Dialects: Central Chuwabo, Nyaringa, Marale, Karungu, Maindo. Lexical similarity: 78% between Chuwabo of Makusi District and Marrare.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Dema | [dmx]
5,000 (2000 J. & M. Bister). Population displaced during Cabora Bassa Dam construction. Far west, just north of Zimbabwe.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
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| Kokola | [kzn]
80,000 in Mozambique (2006). Western Zambezia Province.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Koti | [eko]
77,000 (2006). Nampula Province, Angoche District, coast around Angoche Island; Nampula City community.
Alternate names: Angoche, Angoxe, Coti, Ekoti.
Dialects: Ekoti, Enatthembo (Sangaje, Esangaje, Esakaji, Esangaji, “Edheidhei” , “Etteittei” ). A separate language within the Makhuwa group.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Kunda | [kdn]
5,500 in Mozambique (2006). Confluence of Luangwe and Zambezi rivers area.
Alternate names: Chicunda, Chikunda, Cikunda.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.40), Sena
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| Lolo | [llb]
162,000 (2006). Western Zambezia Province.
Alternate names: Ilolo.
Dialects: May be a dialect of Lomwe [ngl] or Makhuwa [vmw]. Similar to Takwane [tke].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Lomwe | [ngl]
1,500,000 (2006). Northeast and central, most of Zambezia Province, south Nampula Province. Prestige center is Alto Molocue, Zambezia Province.
Alternate names: Acilowe, Alomwe, Chilowe, Cilowe, Elomwe, Ilomwe, Ingulu, Lomue, Mihavane, Mihavani, Mihawani, Ngulu, Nguru, Walomwe, Western Makua.
Dialects: Most similar to Makhuwa [vmw], Chuwabu [chw].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Maindo | [cwb]
21,000 (2006). Micaune, northeast of Chinde, Zambezi River mouth.
Alternate names: Chwambo.
Dialects: Mitange, Badoni. Lexical similarity: 84% with Chuwabu [chw].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Makhuwa | [vmw]
3,090,000 (2006). Nampula, south of Meetto area.
Alternate names: Central Makhuwa, Emakhuwa, Emakua, Macua, Makhuwa-Makhuwana, Makhuwwa of Nampula, Makoane, Makua, Maquoua.
Dialects: Emwaja, Enaharra (Maharra, Nahara, Emathipane), Enyara, Central Makua (Makhuwana, Makuana, Emakhuwana), Empamela (Nampamela), Enlai (Mulai).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Makhuwa-Marrevone | [xmc]
463,000 (2006). Central Delgado Province coast, Moma to Angoche.
Alternate names: Coastal Makhuwa, Emaka, Maca, Maka, Marevone, Marrevone, South Maca.
Dialects: Makhuwana (Emakhuwana), Naharra (Enaharra), Enlai, Nampamela (Empamela).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Makhuwa-Meetto | [mgh]
963,000 in Mozambique (2006). Population total all countries: 1,348,000. Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces. Also in Tanzania.
Alternate names: Emeto, Imeetto, Medo, Meetto, Meto, Mêto, Metto.
Dialects: Lexical similarity: 81%–88% with Makhuwa-Saka [xsq], 78%–82% with the Nahara dialect of Makhuwa-Marrevone [xmc], 78%–80% with Makhuwa [vmw], 66%–68% with Lomwe [ngl].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Makhuwa-Moniga | [mhm]
200,000 (2003 SIL). Delgado Province.
Alternate names: Emakhuwa-Emoniga, Emoniga, Moniga.
Dialects: Lexical similarity: 56% with Lomwe [ngl].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Makhuwa-Saka | [xsq]
212,000 (2006). Delgado Province.
Alternate names: Esaaka, Isaanga, Ishanga, Saaka, Saanga, Saka, Sanga.
Dialects: Saka (Esaaka), Rati (Erati). Lexical similarity: 81%–88% with Makhuwa-Meetto [mgh], 78%–80% with Makhuwa [vmw].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Makhuwa-Shirima | [vmk]
618,000 (2006). South of Niassa Province.
Alternate names: Chirima, Eshirima, Makhuwa-Exirima, Makhuwa-Niassa, Makhuwa-Xirima, Shirima, West Makua, Xirima.
Dialects: Probably not intelligible with Makhuwa-Meetto [mgh], or Lomwe [ngl].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Makonde | [kde]
360,000 in Mozambique (2006). Northeast. Maviha in Mueda.
Alternate names: Chimakonde, Chinimakonde, Cimakonde, Konde, Maconde, Makonda, Matambwe, Shimakonde.
Dialects: Vadonde (Donde, Ndonde), Vamwalu (Mwalu), Vamwambe (Mwambe), Vamakonde (Makonde), Maviha (Chimaviha, Kimawiha, Mavia, Mabiha, Mawia).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Yao (P.20)
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| Makwe | [ymk]
22,000 in Mozambique (2003). Population total all countries: 32,000. Cabo Delgado Province coast, Tanzania border south to Quionga, Palma, to just south of Olumbe; interior along Ruvuma River to Pundanhar. Also in Tanzania.
Alternate names: Kimakwe, Macue, Palma.
Dialects: Coastal Makwe (Palma), Interior Makwe. Not inherently intelligible with Swahili [swh]. Lexical similarity: 60% with Swahili [swh], 57% with Mwani [wmw], 48% with Yao [yao].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40)
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| Manyawa | [mny]
173,000 (2006). 85% are monolingual in Lugela District. Western Zambezia Province, Lugela District.
Dialects: Lexical similarity: 69% with Takwane [tke].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Manyika | [mxc]
164,000 in Mozambique (2006). 759,923 Shona in Mozambique (1980 census) probably included Manyika, Ndau, Tewe, and Tawala. North Manica Province, north of Ndau, west of Tewe.
Alternate names: Chimanyika, Manika.
Dialects: Bocha (Boka), Bunji, Bvumba, Domba, Guta, Here, Hungwe, Jindwi, Karombe, Nyamuka, Nyatwe, Unyama.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
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| Marenje | [vmr]
90,000 (2006). Western Zambezia.
Alternate names: Emarendje, Marendje.
Dialects: Related to Lolo [llb], Kokola [kzn].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Mozambican Sign Language | [mzy]
In at least the 3 largest cities: Maputo, Beira, and Nampula.
Dialects: Some dialectal variation. Standardization efforts are in progress (1999). Not related to or based on Portuguese nor Portuguese Sign Language.
Classification: Deaf sign language
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| Mwani | [wmw]
100,000 (2006). Cabo Delgado Province coast, north of Pemba, Arimba to Palma, Ibo and Mocimboa da Praia; offshore Querimba Archipelago.
Alternate names: Ibo, Kimwani, Muane, Mwane, Quimuane.
Dialects: Wibo (Kiwibo), Kisanga (Kikisanga, Quissanga), Nkojo (Kinkojo), Nsimbwa (Kinsimbwa). Not intelligible with Swahili. Kiwibo is the prestige dialect. Kinsimbwa, the northernmost Mocimboa da Praia dialect is inherently intelligible with others, even though it is the most distinct. Lexical similarity: 60% with Swahili, 48% with Yao [yao].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40)
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| Nathembo | [nte]
25,000 (2006). Southeast Nampula Province, north of Angohe, Sangange Peninsula, Zubairi, Charamatane, Amisse, Mutembua, Namaeca, Namaponda, to Mogincual and Khibulani.
Alternate names: Esakaji, Sakaji, Sanagage, Sangaji, Sankaji, Theithei.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Ndau | [ndc]
1,580,000 in Mozambique (2006). Population total all countries: 2,380,000. South central region, Sofala and Manica Province, south of Beira. Also in Zimbabwe.
Alternate names: Chindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona.
Dialects: Ndau (Cindau), Shanga (Cimashanga, Mashanga, Chichanga, Chixanga, Xanga, Changa, Senji, Chisenji), Danda (Cidanda, Ndanda, Cindanda, Vadanda, Watande), Dondo (Cidondo, Wadondo, Chibabava), Gova (Cigova). More similar to Manyika [mxc], and much more divergent from Union Shona [sna]. Danda and Ndanda may be the same language. Gova [sna] in Mozambique is more similar to Ndau, but in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Ndau is more similar to Korekore dialect of Shona [sna]. Lexical similarity: 92% between the Danda and Dondo dialects, 85% between the Dondo and Shanga dialects; 74%–81% between Ndau dialects and Manyika [mxc].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
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| Ngoni | [ngo]
53,000 in Mozambique (2006). Central Cabo Delgado Province; Niassa Province, Macuaida area; northeast Tete Province.
Alternate names: Angoni, Chingoni, Kingoni, Kisutu, Sutu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Manda (N.10)
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| Nsenga | [nse]
192,000 in Mozambique (2006).
Alternate names: Chinsenga, Senga.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.40), Senga
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| Nyanja | [nya]
599,000 in Mozambique (2006). Niassa, Zambezia, and Tete provinces. Chewa is in Macanga District, Tete; Ngoni in Sanga and Lago in Niassa, Angonia in Tete; Nsenga in Zumbo in Tete; Nyanja is along Lake Niassa in Niassa and Tete.
Alternate names: Chinyanja.
Dialects: Chewa (Cewa, Chichewa, Cicewa), Ngoni (Cingoni), Nyanja (Cinyanja).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Nyanja (N.30)
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| Nyungwe | [nyu]
439,000 (2006). Central, Zambezi River banks above the Sena.
Alternate names: Chinyungwi, Cinyungwe, Nyongwe, Teta, Tete, Yungwe.
Dialects: Similar to Sena [seh].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.40), Sena
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| Phimbi | [phm]
6,000. Central, Zambezi River banks above the Sena.
Alternate names: Pimbi.
Dialects: Similar to Sena [seh].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.40), Sena
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| Portuguese | [por]
35,000 in Mozambique (2006).
Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
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| Ronga | [rng]
721,000 in Mozambique (2006). Population total all countries: 722,000. South of Maputo Province on the coast. Also in South Africa.
Alternate names: Gironga, Shironga, Xironga.
Dialects: Konde, Putru, Kalanga. Partially intelligible with Tsonga [tso] and Tswa [tsc].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Ronga (S.50)
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| Sena | [seh]
1,340,000 (2006). 86,000 Podzo in Mozambique (Johnstone 1993). Northwest, Sofala, Manica, Tete, and Zambezia provinces, lower Zambezi River region.
Alternate names: Chisena, Cisena.
Dialects: Caia (Care, Sare, North Sena), Bangwe (South Sena), Rue (Chirue), Gombe, Sangwe, Podzo (Phodzo, Chipodzo, Cipodzo, Puthsu, Shiputhsu), Gorongosa. Similar to Nyungwe [nyu], Nyanja [nya], Phimbi [phn], Kunda [kdn] of Zambia. Lexical similarity: 92% between the Podzo and Sena-Sare dialects.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.40), Sena
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| Swahili | [swh]
10,000 in Mozambique (2006). Northern.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40)
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| Swati | [ssw]
1,200 in Mozambique (2006).
Alternate names: Siswati, Siswazi, Swazi, Tekela, Tekeza.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
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| Takwane | [tke]
181,000 (2006). Western Zambezia Province.
Alternate names: Thakwani.
Dialects: Related to Manyawa [mny].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makua (P.30)
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| Tawara | [twl]
60,000 (2006). South of Tete Province, north of Zimbabwe.
Alternate names: Tawala.
Dialects: Tawara-Chioco, Tawara-Daque. The northernmost variety related to the Korekore dialect of Shone [sna]; appears to have been influenced by Nyungwe [nyu].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
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| Tewe | [twx]
250,000 (2000 NELIMO). Manica Province, Chimoio city and district.
Alternate names: Chiute, Ciute, Teve, Vateve, Wateve.
Dialects: Considered by many a Manyika [mxc] dialect.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
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| Tonga | [toh]
375,000 (2006). South, Inhambane area up to Morrumbane.
Alternate names: Bitonga, Inhambane, Shengwe, Tonga-Inhambane.
Dialects: Gitonga Gy Khogani, Nyambe (Cinyambe), Sewi (Gisewi). Lexical similarity: 44% with Chopi [cce].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Chopi (S.60)
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| Tsonga | [tso]
1,710,000 in Mozambique (2006). South of Maputo, most of Maputo and Gaza provinces.
Alternate names: Gwamba, Shitsonga, Thonga, Tonga, Xitsonga.
Dialects: Bila (Vila), Changana (Xichangana, Changa, Shangaan, Hlanganu, Hanganu, Langanu, Shilanganu, Shangana), Jonga (Djonga, Dzonga), Ngwalungu (Shingwalungu).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Ronga (S.50)
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| Tswa | [tsc]
1,160,000 in Mozambique (2006). Population total all countries: 1,180,000. South, most of Inhambane Province. Also in South Africa, Zimbabwe.
Alternate names: Kitshwa, Sheetshwa, Shitshwa, Tshwa, Xitshwa.
Dialects: Hlengwe (Lengwe, Shilengwe, Lhengwe, Makwakwe-Khambana, Khambana-Makwakwe, Khambani), Tshwa (Dzibi-Dzonga, Dzonga-Dzibi, Dzivi, Xidzivi), Mandla, Ndxhonge, Nhayi. Partially intelligible with Ronga [rng] and Tsonga [tso].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Ronga (S.50)
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| Yao | [yao]
496,000 in Mozambique (2006). Niassa Province, south and west of Lake Malawi. Possibly in Zimbabwe.
Alternate names: Achawa, Adsawa, Adsoa, Ajawa, Ayawa, Ayo, Chiyao, Ciyao, Djao, Haiao, Hiao, Hyao, Jao, Veiao, Wajao.
Dialects: Makale (Cimakale), Massaninga (Cimassaninga), Machinga, Mangochi, Tunduru Yao, Chikonono (Cikonono).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Yao (P.20)
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| Zulu | [zul]
3,000 in Mozambique (2006).
Alternate names: Isizulu, Zunda.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
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