Kimbu

A language of Tanzania

ISO 639: kiv
Alternate Names: Ikibungu, Kikimbu, Yanzi
Population: 62,700 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009), decreasing.
Location:: Mbeya region: Chunya district, Kipembawe ward; Singida region: Manyoni district; Tabora region: Sikonge district.
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Sukuma-Nyamwezi (F.24)
Dialects: None known. Lexical similarity: 61% with Nilamba [nim], 57% with Sukuma [suk], 53% with Nyaturu [rim], 48% with Sumbwa [suw], 47% with Langi [lag].
Language Use: Vigorous. Negative attitudes. Low prestige such that in some areas, speakers identify themselves to outsiders as being from other ethnic groups. Also use Nyamwezi [nym]. Also use Swahili [swh].
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kimbu
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: Seminomadic. Christian.

Location: Mbeya region: Chunya district, Kipembawe ward; Singida region: Manyoni district; Tabora region: Sikonge district.