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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Zambia > Mambwe-Lungu

Mambwe-Lungu

A language of Zambia

ISO 639-3: mgr

Population  379,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 674,000.
Region  Northeast Northern Province south of Lake Tanganyika. Also in Tanzania.
Language map  Zambia, reference number 17
Dialects  Mambwe (Ichimambwe, Kimambwe), Lungu (Rungu, Ichirungu, Adong), Fipa-Mambwe (Kifipa cha kimambwe). Uncertain intelligibility between the Fipa-Mambwe [fip] (in Tanzania) and other dialects. Minor dialect differences between Mambwe and Lungu.
Classification  Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Tongwe (F.10)
Language use  Home, community, market. Positive attitude.
Language development  Dictionary. NT: 1901–1991.
Writing system  Latin script.

Also spoken in:

Tanzania

Language name   Mambwe-Lungu
Population  295,000 in Tanzania (2002 census). 230,000 ethnic Fipa speaking the Fipa-Mambwe Dialect. Ethnic population: 65,000 in Tanzania (2002 census).
Region  Rukwa region, Sumbawanga Rural, Sumbawanga Urban districts, and far south Nkansi District, Matanga village south to Zambia border, Lake Tanganyika west to Tunko village east.
Language map  Tanzania, reference number 71
Dialects  Mambwe (Icimambwe, Ichimambwe, Kimambwe), Lungu (Icilungu, Rungu, Cilungu, Kilungu, Kirungu), Fipa-Mambwe (Kifipa cha kimambwe).
Language use  Swahili used in primary schools. English used in secondary schools. Used in all domains except education and official government business. Many also use Fipa [fip].
Comments  Agriculturalists: millet, sorghum, maize, peanuts, beans; animal husbandry: cattle, sheep, goats, poultry; fishermen. Traditional religion, Christian.