Summary
The list below reflects Guthrie as updated by Maho (2009). Not included in detail are the ''Northeast Bantu'' languages characterized byZone A
S Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, N Gabon *A10 ''Lundu–Balong'' : Oroko (likely one of theZone B
S Gabon, W Congo, W DR-Congo *B20 ''Zone C
NW DR-Congo, N Congo *C10 (with some C30) ''Zone D
NE DR-Congo *D10 ''Zone E
Kenya, apart from Swahili The languages of Zone E have been reassigned: E10–E40 toZone F
W & C Tanzania. *F10 Tongwe-Bende *F30 (reduced) ''Zone G
E Tanzania, Comoros *G50 (with Mbunga) ''Zone H
NW Angola, W Congo *H10 (reduced) ''Zone J
Uganda, Rwanda–Burundi, near lakes Kivu & Victoria *J ''Zone K
E Angola, W Zambia *K10 '' Chokwe–Luchazi languages'' *K31Zone L
S DR-Congo, C Zambia *L10 (with some H) ''Zone M
E Zambia, SE DR-Congo *M10–30 (with Bungu) ''Zone N
Malawi and surrounding areas, C Mozambique *N20–40 ''Zone P
NE Mozambique, SE Tanzania P10 ''Matuumbi'' and P20 ''Yao'' have been classified as Rufiji–Ruvuma, P15 ''Mbunga'' asZone R
SW Angola, N Namibia, N Botswana *R11 ''Zone S
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Mozambique. *S10 ''Full list (1948/2009)
Following is the original list from Guthrie (1948), with all numerical assignments, as updated by Guthrie himself (1971) and J.F. Maho (2009). The groups are geographic, and do not necessarily imply a relationship between the languages within them. Words in parentheses are added for disambiguation. Numbers in brackets are changes made in Maho (2009); languages in brackets were added by Maho (2009). Languages of the proposed Zone J are included among zones D and E.Zone A
:A10: A11 01 Londo, A12 01 Barue, A13 Balong, A14 Bonkeng, A15 Mbo, Bafo, A151 Nkongho, multiple additions to A101 Oroko] :A20: A21 Kpwe language, Bomboko, A22 Kpwe language, Baakpe, A23 Suwu language, Su, A24 Duala language, Duala, A25 Duala language, Oli, A26 Duala language, Pongo, A27 Limba language (Cameroon), Mulimba, Bubia.html" ;"title="221 Bube language, Bubia">221 Bubia, A231 Kole, additions to A24–26 Duala:A30: A31a North Bobe, A31b Southwest Bobe, A31c Southeast Bobe, A32a Banoo, A32b Bapoko, A33a Yasa, A33b Kombe, A34 Benga :A40: A41 Lombi, A42 Bankon, A43a Mbene, A43b North Kogo, A43c South Kogo, A44 Banen, A45 Nyokon, A46 Mandi, Aling'a,_A461_Tuotomb_language.html" ;"title="Nen language (Cameroon)">Aling'a, A461 Bonek,_A462_ Bonek,_A462_Yambeta_language">Yambeta:A50:_A51_ Bonek,_A462_Yambeta_language">Yambeta:A50:_A51_Fa’_language">Fa’,_A52_Zone B
:B10: B11a Myene language, Mpongwe, B11bZone C
:C10: C11 Ngondi language, Ngondi, C12a Pande language, Pande, C12b Pande language, Bogongo, C13 Mbati language, Mbati, C14 Bomitaba language, Mbomotaba, C15 Bongili language, Bongili, C16 Lobala, Dibole,_C102_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic).html" ;"title="Bole_language_(Bantu).html" ;"title="101 Dibole,_C102_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic).html" ;"title="Bole language (Bantu)">Dibole, C102 Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Kota,_C104_ Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Kota,_C104_Aka_language">Yaka_(Aka),_C105_ Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Kota,_C104_Aka_language">Yaka_(Aka),_C105_Mbenga_language">Mbenga_(?=Aka),_C141_ Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Kota,_C104_Aka_language">Yaka_(Aka),_C105_Mbenga_language">Mbenga_(?=Aka),_C141_Bomitaba_language">Enyele,_C142_ Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Kota,_C104_Aka_language">Yaka_(Aka),_C105_Mbenga_language">Mbenga_(?=Aka),_C141_Bomitaba_language">Enyele,_C142_Bomitaba_language">Bondongo,_C143_ Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Kota,_C104_Aka_language">Yaka_(Aka),_C105_Mbenga_language">Mbenga_(?=Aka),_C141_Bomitaba_language">Enyele,_C142_Bomitaba_language">Bondongo,_C143_Bomitaba_language">Mbonzo,_C161_ Ngando,_C103_Ngando_language_(Central_African_Republic)">Kota,_C104_Aka_language">Yaka_(Aka),_C105_Mbenga_language">Mbenga_(?=Aka),_C141_Bomitaba_language">Enyele,_C142_Bomitaba_language">Bondongo,_C143_Bomitaba_language">Mbonzo,_C161_Bomboli_language">Bomboli,_C162_Bozaba_language.html" ;"title="Bomboli_language.html" ;"title="Bomitaba_language.html" ;"title="Bomitaba_language.html" ;"title="Bomitaba_language.html" ;"title="Mbenga_language.html" ;"title="Aka_language.html" ;"title="Ngando language (Central African Republic)">Ngando, C103 Ngando language (Central African Republic)">Kota, C104 Aka language">Yaka (Aka), C105 Mbenga language">Mbenga (?=Aka), C141 Bomitaba language">Enyele, C142 Bomitaba language">Bondongo, C143 Bomitaba language">Mbonzo, C161 Bomboli language">Bomboli, C162 Bozaba language">Bozaba] :C20: C21 Mboko language, Mboko, C22 Akwa language, Akwa, C23[21] Mboko language, Ngare, C24 Koyo language (Congo), Koyo, C25 Mboshi language, Mbosi, C26 Kwala language, Kwala, C27 Kuba, Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_Bangi_language">Bobangi,_C33_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_Bangi_language">Bobangi,_C33_Sengele_language">Sengele,_C34_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_Bangi_language">Bobangi,_C33_Sengele_language">Sengele,_C34_Sakata_language">Sakata,_C35a_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_Bangi_language">Bobangi,_C33_Sengele_language">Sengele,_C34_Sakata_language">Sakata,_C35a_Ntomba-Bolia_language">Ntomba,_C35b_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_Bangi_language">Bobangi,_C33_Sengele_language">Sengele,_C34_Sakata_language">Sakata,_C35a_Ntomba-Bolia_language">Ntomba,_C35b_Ntomba-Bolia_language">Bolia,_C36a_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_Bangi_language">Bobangi,_C33_Sengele_language">Sengele,_C34_Sakata_language">Sakata,_C35a_Ntomba-Bolia_language">Ntomba,_C35b_Ntomba-Bolia_language">Bolia,_C36a_Losengo_language">Poto,_C36b_ Bwenyi.html"_;"title="Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi">Bwenyi_language.html"_;"title="201_Bwenyi_language">Bwenyi:C30:_C31a_Ngiri_language">Loi,_C31b_Ngiri_language">Ngiri,_C31c_Ngiri_language">Nunu,_C32_Bangi_language">Bobangi,_C33_Sengele_language">Sengele,_C34_Sakata_language">Sakata,_C35a_Ntomba-Bolia_language">Ntomba,_C35b_Ntomba-Bolia_language">Bolia,_C36a_Losengo_language">Poto,_C36b_Losengo_language">Mpesa,_C36c_Zone D
:D10: D11 Mbole, D12 Lengola, D13 Metoko, D14Zone E
: 10: E11 Nyoro language, Nyoro, E12 Tooro language, Tooro, E13 Nyankore language, Nyankore, E14 Ciga language, Ciga, E15 Ganda language, Ganda, E16 Soga language, Soga, E17 Gwere language, Gwere, E18 Nyala language (Bantu), Nyala,Zone F
:F10: F11 Tongwe language, Tongwe, F12 Bende language, Bende :F20: F21 Sukuma, F22 Nyamwezi language, Nyamwezi, F23 Sumbwa language, Sumbwa, F24 Kimbu language, Kimbu, F25 Bungu language, Bungu :F30: F31 Nilamba language, Nilamba, F32 Remi language, Remi, F33 Langi language, Langi, F34 Mbugwe language, MbugweZone G
:G10: G11 Gogo language, Gogo, G12 Kaguru language, Kaguru :G20: G21 [E74a] Tubeta language, Tubeta, G22 Asu language (Bantu), Asu, G23 Shambala language, Shambala, G24 Bondei language, Bondei, [G221 Mbugu language, Mbugu (Bantu register)] :G30: G31 Zigula language, Zigula, G32 Ngwele language, Ngwele, G33 Zaramo language, Zaramo, G34 Ngulu language, Ngulu, G35 Ruguru language, Ruguru, G36 Kami language (Bantu), Kami, G37 Kutu language, Kutu, G38 Vidunda language, Vidunda, G39 Sagala language (Tanzania), Sagala, [G301 Doe language, Doe, G311 Mushungulu language, Mushungulu (incl. Shanbara)] :G40: G41 Tikuu language, Tikuu, G42a Amu dialect, Amu, G42b Mvita dialect, Mvita, G42c Mrima dialect, Mrima, G42d Unguja dialect, Unguja, G43a Phemba dialect, Phemba, G43b Tumbatu dialect, Tumbatu, G43c Hadimu dialect, Hadimu, G44a Ngazija dialect, Ngazija, G44b Njuani dialect, Njuani, [G402 Makwe language, Makwe, G403 Mwani language, Mwani, G404 Sidi language, Sidi (India), G411 Socotra Swahili language, Socotra Swahili, G412 Mwiini language, Mwiini] :G50: G51 Pogolo language, Pogolo, G52 Ndamba language, Ndamba :G60: G61 Sango language (Bantu), Sango, G62 Hehe language, Hehe, G63 Bena language, Bena, G64 Pangwa language, Pangwa, G65 Kinga language, Kinga, G66 Wanji language, Wanji, G67 Kisi language (Bantu), Kisi, [G651 Magoma language, Magoma]Zone H
:H10: H11 Bembe language (Kibembe), Beembe, H12 Vili, H13 Kunyi, H14 Ndingi language, Ndingi, H15 Mboka language, Mboka, H16a South Kongo dialect, South Kongo, H16b Central Kongo dialect, Central Kongo, H16c Yombe dialect (Kongo), Yombe, H16d Fiote dialect, Fiote, H16e Bwende dialect, Bwende, H16f Laadi dialect, Laadi, H16g East Kongo dialect, East Kongo, H16h Southeast Kongo dialect, Southeast Kongo, [H111 Hangala language, Hangala, H112 Kamba language (Congo), Kamba-Doondo language, Doondo, H131 Suundi] :H20: H21a Kimbundu, H21b Mbamba dialect, Mbamba, H22 Sama language (Angola), Sama, H23 Bolo language, Bolo, H24 Songo language, Songo :H30: H31 Yaka language (Democratic Republic of Congo), Yaka, H32 Suku language, Suku, H33 [L12b] Hungu language, Hungu, H34 Mbangala language, Mbangala, H35 Sinji language, Sinji, [H321 Soonde language, Soonde] :H40: H41 Mbala language, Mbala, H42 Hunganna language, HungannaZone K
:K10: K11 Ciokwe language, Ciokwe, K12a Luimbi dialect, Luimbi, K12b Ngangela dialect, Ngangela, K13 Lucazi language, Lucazi, K14 Lwena language, Lwena, K15 Mbunda language, Mbunda, K16 Nyengo language, Nyengo, K17 Mbwela language, Mbwela, K18 Nkangala language, Nkangala :K20: K21 Lozi :K30: K31Zone L
:L10: L11 Pende language, Pende, L12 Samba dialect, Samba & Holu dialect, Holu, L13 Kwese language, Kwese, [L101 Sonde language (L101), Sonde§] :L20: L21 Kete language, Kete, L22 Binji language, BinjiZone M
:M10: M11 Pimbwe language, Pimbwe, M12 Rungwa language, Rungwa, M13 Fipa language, Fipa, M14 Rungu language, Rungu, M15 Mambwe language, Mambwe, [M131 Kuulwe language, Kuulwe] :M20: M21 Wanda language, Wanda, M22 Mwanga language, Mwanga, M23 Nyiha language, Nyiha, M24 Malila language, Malila, M25 Safwa language, Safwa, M26 Iwa language, Iwa, M27 Tambo language, Tambo, [M201 Lambya language, Lambya, M202 Sukwa language, Sukwa] :M30: M31 Nyakyusa language, Nyakyusa, [M301 Ndali language, Ndali, M302 Penja language, Penja] :M40: M41 Taabwa language, Taabwa, M42 Bemba language, Bemba, [M401 Bwile language, Bwile, M402 Aushi language, Aushi] :M50: M51 Biisa language, Biisa, M52 Lala language (Zambia), Lala, M53 Swaka language, Swaka, M54 Lamba language, Lamba, M55 Seba language, Seba, [M521 Ambo language (Zambia), Ambo, M522 Luano language, Luano, M541 Lima language, Lima, M542 Temba language, Temba] :M60: M61 Lenje language, Lenje, M62 Soli language, Soli, M63 Ila language, Ila, M64 Tonga language (Zambia), Tonga, [M611 Lukanga Twa language, Lukanga Twa, M631 Sala language, Sala, M632 Lundwe language, Lundwe, M633 Kafue Twa language, Kafue Twa]Zone N
:N10: N11 Manda language (Bantu), Manda, N12 Ngoni language, Ngoni, N13 Matengo language, Matengo, N14 Mpoto language, Mpoto, N15 Tonga language (Malawi), Tonga, [N101 Ndendeule language, Ndendeule, N102 Nindi language, Nindi, N121 Ngoni language (Malawi), Ngoni of Malawi§] :N20: N21 Tumbuka language, Tumbuka, [N201 Mwera language (Mbamba Bay), Mwera of Mbamba Bay] :N30: N31a Nyanja dialect, Nyanja, N31b Cewa dialect, Cewa, N31c Manganja dialect, Manganja :N40: N41 Nsenga language, Nsenga, N42 Kunda language, Kunda, N43 Nyungwe language, Nyungwe, N44 Sena language, Sena, N45[44] Rue language, Rue, N46[44] Podzo language, Podzo, [N441 Sena-Malawi language, Sena-Malawi]Zone P
:P10: P11 Ndengereko language, Ndengereko, P12 Ruihi language, Ruihi, P13 Matumbi language, Matumbi, P14 Ngindo language, Ngindo, P15 Mbunga language, Mbunga :P20: P21 Yao language, Yao, P22 Mwera language, Mwera, P23 Makonde language, Makonde, P24 Ndonde language, Ndonde, P25 Mabiha language, Mabiha :P30: P31 Makua language, Makua, P32 Lomwe language, Lomwe, P33 Ngulu dialect, Ngulu, P34 Cuabo language, Cuabo, [P311 Koti language, Koti, P312 Sakati language, Sakati, P331 Lomwe language (Malawi), Lomwe of Malawi, P341 Moniga language, Moniga]Zone R
:R10: R11 Umbundu language, Umbundu, R12 Ndombe language, Ndombe, R13 Nyaneka language, Nyaneka, R14 Khumbi language, Khumbi, [R101 Kuvale language, Kuvale, R102 †Kwisi language, Kwisi, R103 Mbali language, Mbali] :R20: R21 Kwanyama language, Kwanyama, R22 Ndonga language, Ndonga, R23 Kwambi language, Kwambi, R24 Ngandyera language, Ngandyera, [R211 Kafima language, Kafima, R212 Evale language, Evale, R213 Mbandja language, Mbandja, R214 Mbalanhu language, Mbalanhu, R215 Ndongwena language, Ndongwena, R216 Kwankwa language, Kwankwa, R217 Dombondola language, Dombondola, R218 Esinga language, Esinga, R241 Kwaluudhi language, Kwaluudhi, R242 Kolonkadhi-Eunda language, Kolonkadhi-Eunda] :R30: R31 Herero language, Herero, [R311 North-West Herero language, North-West Herero, R312 Herero language (Botswana), Botswana Herero] :R40: R41 Yei language (Bantu), YeiZone S
:S10: S11 Korekore language, Korekore, S12 Zezuru language, Zezuru, S13a Manyika dialect, Manyika, S13b Tebe dialect, Tebe, S14 Karanga language (Bantu), Karanga, S15 Ndau language, Ndau, S16 Kalanga language, Kalanga :S20: S21 Venda language, Venda :S30: S31a Tswana language, Tswana, S31b Kgatla dialect, Kgatla, S31c Ngwatu dialect, Ngwatu, S31d[311] Khalaxadi dialect, Khalaxadi, S32a Pedi dialect, Pedi, S32b Lobedu dialect, Lobedu, S33 Sotho language, Sotho, [S301 Phalaborwa language, Phalaborwa, S302 Kutswe language, Kutswe, S303 Pai language (Bantu), Pai, S304 Pulana language, Pulana] :S40: S41 Xhosa language, Xhosa, S42 Zulu language, Zulu, S43 Swati language, Swati, S44 Northern Ndebele language, (Northern) Ndebele, [S401 †Old Mfengu language, Old Mfengu, S402 Bhaca language, Bhaca, S403 Hlubi language, Hlubi, S404 Phuthi language, Phuthi, S405 Nhlangwini language, Nhlangwini, S406 †Lala language (South Africa), Lala, S407 South Ndebele language, South Ndebele, S408 Sumayela Ndebele language, Sumayela Ndebele] :S50: S51 Tswa language, Tswa, S52[53] Gwamba language, Gwamba, S53 Tsonga language, Tsonga, S54 Ronga language, Ronga, [S511 Hlengwe language, Hlengwe] :S60: S61 Copi language, Copi, S62 Tonga language (Mozambique), Tonga, [S611 Lenge language, Lenge] §: ''These languages do not have separate articles, though they might warrant them.''2009 appendix
Besides the languages added within the existing framework above, Maho appends several creoles, pidgins, and mixed languages: *Duala-based: A20A Duala language, Jo *Beti-based: A70A Ewondo Populaire *Bangi-based: C30A Bangala language, Bangala, C30BSee also
*List of Bantu languagesReferences
External links