Umbundu | Ethnologue

A language of Angola

ISO 639: umb
Alternate Names: Kimbari, M’bundo, Mbali, Mbari, Mbundu, Mbundu Benguella, Nano, Olumbali, Ovimbundu, South Mbundu, Umbundo
Autonym: Umbundu
Population: 6,980,000 (2018).
Location:: Scattered in the west central area, mostly Huambo, Kuanza Sul, and Benguela provinces; also Bié, Huíla, Namibe, and Bengo provinces.
Language Status: 3 (Wider communication). Trade language, particularly for slave and ivory trade, between Ovimbundu people and Portuguese settlers in 1700’s. Beginning in 1874 used as church language with arrival of catholic missionaries. Spoken by one-third of the population of Angola.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Umbundu (R.11)
Dialects: Mbalundu, Hele (Sele).
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1963.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Umbundu
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Scattered in the west central area, mostly Huambo, Kuanza Sul, and Benguela provinces; also Bié, Huíla, Namibe, and Bengo provinces.