Tumbuka | Ethnologue

A language of Malawi

ISO 639: tum
Alternate Names: Citumbuka, Tamboka, Tambuka, Timbuka, Tombucas, Tumboka
Autonym: Chitumbuka
Population: 1,950,000 in Malawi (2020 World Factbook). , based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 2,316,000.
Location:: Chitipa and Karonga districts: Lake Malawi west shore; Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Rumphi, and Mzimba districts.
Language Status: 4 (Educational).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Tumbuka (N.21)
Dialects: Chitumbuka, Chikamanga (Henga, Kamanga), Nenya, Poka (Chipoka, Phoka), Yombe, Senga, Nthali, Fungwe, Wenya, Hewe (Hewa).
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1957–2017.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Tumbuka
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Kandawire and Fulirwa are clans, not dialects. Christian, traditional religion.

Zambia

Location: Eastern province: northern third; Muchinga province: Isoka district.
Dialects: Chitumbuka, Chikamanga (Henga, Kamanga), Kandawire, Chipoka, Yombe, Senga, Fungwe, Wenya, Nenya, Ngoni (Magodi), Fililwa (Filirwa), Hewe (Hewa), Nthali.
Language Status: 5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments: Senga dialect is distinct from Nsenga [nse] of Petauke District.

Location: Chitipa and Karonga districts: Lake Malawi west shore; Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Rumphi, and Mzimba districts.