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Tumbuka

Chitumbuka

Tumbuka is an Atlantic-Congo language spoken in Malawi and Zambia, by about 7 million people.

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Tumbuka · 11.3°S 33.4°E

Tumbuka or Chitumbuka (also known by other variants such as Senga (Zambia) and other names) is a Bantu language of Central and Southern Africa spoken primarily in Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. It is the native and primary language of at least more than 13 groups of peoples, namely, the Senga, Tumbuka, Yombe, Phoka, Henga, Balowoka, Fungwe, Hewe, Northern Ngoni, Kamanga and Tonga people (Malawi), with 12 known and studied dialects. The chi- prefix in front of Tumbuka means "the language of", so the language is usually called Chitumbuka even in English publications.

In Northern Malawi, Chitumbuka is spoken in all 6 districts of the region, namely, Rumphi, Mzimba (including Mzuzu City), Karonga, Chitipa, Nkhata-Bay, and Likoma. In Central Malawi, it is spoken primarily in 3 districts of Kasungu, Nkhotakota and Ntchisi.

In the Eastern Province of Zambia, Chitumbuka is spoken mainly in 5 districts, namely, Lumezi, Chasefu, Lundazi and Chama, with some in Chipangali and Chipata. In Muchinga Province of Zambia, Chitumbuka is spoken in the districts of Isoka, Mafinga and surrounding areas.

From Wikipedia · Tumbuka language · CC BY-SA 4.0

Words in Tumbuka

MeaningWordRomanization
fatherdada
childmwana
manmwanalume
womanmwanakazi
personmunthu
namezina
eyejiso
earkhutu
nosempuno
toothjino
tonguelulimi
handwoko
heartmtima
headmutu
breastbele
liverchiwindi
watermaji
firemoto
sunzuwa
moonmwezi
starnyenyezi
rainvula
windmphepo
stoneliwe
rivermronga
nightusiku
dognchewe
fishsomba
birdciyuni
cowng'ombe

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Vocabulary

Vocabulary compares 40 basic words (ASJP); grammar compares 195 features (Grambank). Similar is not always related.

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