Page Type: languageMambwe-Lungu | Ethnologue

MGR ISO 639-3

Mambwe-Lungu

ichiMambwe Autonym

A language of Zambia

ISO 639
mgr
Alternate Names
Mambe-Lungu, Mambwe-Rungu
Autonym
ichiMambwe
Population
207,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 64,500 Lungu, 142,000 Mambwe (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 213,680.
Location:
Northern province: south of Lake Tanganyika.
Language Status
5* (Developing).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Fipa-Mambwe (M.14)
Dialects
Mambwe (Cimambwe, Ichimambwe, Kimambwe), Lungu (Adong, Ichirungu, Rungu), Fipa-Mambwe (Kifipa cha Kimambwe). Uncertain intelligibility between Fipa-Mambwe [fip] (Tanzania) and other dialects. Minor dialect differences between Mambwe and Lungu.
Language Use
Home, community, market. Positive attitudes.
Language Development
Dictionary. Bible: 2013.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mambwe-Lungu
Writing
Latin script [Latn].

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Mambwe-Lungu
User Population
6,680 in Tanzania (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009). 5,050 Mambwe and 1,630 Lungu (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009).
Location
Rukwa region: Sumbawanga rural, Sumbawanga urban, and far south Nkansi districts, Matanga village south to Zambia border, Lake Tanganyika west to Tunko village east.
Dialects
Mambwe (Cimambwe, Ichimambwe, Icimambwe, Kimambwe), Lungu (Cilungu, Icilungu, Icirungu, Kilungu, Kirungu, Rungu), Fipa-Mambwe (Kifipa cha Kimambwe).
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.
View other languages of Tanzania

Map

Location: Northern province: south of Lake Tanganyika.