Kimbundu | Ethnologue

A language of Angola

ISO 639: kmb
Alternate Names: Kimbundo, Loanda Mbundu, Loande, Luanda, Lunda, Mbundu, N’bundo, Nbundu, North Mbundu
Autonym: Kimbundu
Population: 1,700,000 in Angola (2015 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 6,000,000 (2015 L. Jordan). Total users in all countries: 1,700,160.
Location:: Widespread northwest, mainly Bengo, Kuanza Norte, and Malanje provinces; adjacent areas in Kuanza Sul, Luanda, and Uíge provinces.
Language Status: 3 (Wider communication). Established 15th century. Spread in northwestern Angola under Portuguese colonialism (16th century) and Methodist missionary influence (1880’s).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kimbundu (H.21)
Dialects: Njinga (Ginga, Jinga), Mbamba (Bambeiro, Kimbamba), Mbaka (Ambaquista), Ngola, Ndongo (Dongo, Kindongo). Mbamba dialect may be a separate language.
Language Use: Most also use Kibala [blv]. Used as L2 by Kibala [blv].
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1980.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kimbundu
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

São Tomé e Príncipe

Location: São Tomé province: Água Grande (town of Bairro da Liberdade), Lobata (town of Agostinho Neto), and Mé Zóxi (town of Monte Café) districts.
Dialects: None known. Two variants are recognized by speakers: Kimbundu and Mbundu. Kimbundu variant spoken in Monte Café, and Mbundu variant spoken in Agostinho Neto and Bairro da Liberdade. Only partially mutually intelligible (2019 D. Eberhard).
Language Status: 8a (Moribund)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. Spoken by descendants of indentured servants from Angola. Some pejorative attitudes within broader society (2019 D. Eberhard).

Location: Widespread northwest, mainly Bengo, Kuanza Norte, and Malanje provinces; adjacent areas in Kuanza Sul, Luanda, and Uíge provinces.