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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Namibia > Mbukushu

Mbukushu

A language of Namibia

ISO 639-3: mhw

Population  6,100 in Namibia (2006). Population total all countries: 35,100.
Region  Northwest Ovambo and northeast Okavango area, Andara. Also in Angola, Botswana, Zambia.
Language map  Namibia, reference number 14
Alternate names   Gova, Kusso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimbukushu
Dialects  Similar to Kwangali [kwm].
Classification  Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
Language use  National language.
Language development  Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1986.
Comments  Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Angola

Language name   Mbukushu
Population  4,000 in Angola (Andersson and Janson 1997).
Region  Southeast corner, north bank of Okavango River.
Language map  Angola, reference number 17
Alternate names  Cusso, Gova, Kuso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimbukushu
Comments  Traditional religion, Christian.
 

Botswana

Language name   Mbukushu
Population  20,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook).
Region  Northwest District, north of Gomare within 30 km of Okavango River.
Language map  Botswana
Alternate names  Gova, Kusso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimbukushu
Language use  Vigorous. All ages.
Language development  Literacy rate in L2: 15 to 29 years 90% Tswana [tsn], 50% English; 30 to 54 3% in Tswana, 10% English; 55+ 0%.
Comments  Traditional religion, Christian.
 

Zambia

Language name   Mbukushu
Population  5,000 in Zambia (2006).
Region  Western Province, southwest, Kwando River area.
Language map  Zambia, reference number 20
Alternate names  Gova, Kusso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimukushu
Language use  Official regional language. Used in administration.
Comments  Traditional religion, Christian.
 

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

HASSELBRING, Sue, author. 2000. A sociolinguistic survey of the languages of Botswana.