Angola
PrintPrimary tabs
Bolo
[blv] Southeast of Luanda, Cuanza Sul province: Libolo municipality. 2,630 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Libolo, Lubolo Dialects: None known. Related to Kimbundu [kmb], Songo [nsx], and Sama [smd].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kimbundu (H.23) Comments: Christian, traditional religion.
Cokwe
[cjk] Widespread: Northeast Lunda district; east Bié, west Moxico, and central Cuando Cubango, Cunene, Malanje, Lunda Sul, Lunda Norte. 456,000 in Angola (1991). Population total all countries: 983,280. Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Chokwe, Ciokwe, Djok, Kioko, Quioco, Shioko, Tschiokloe, Tshokwe Dialects: Minungo, Ukhongo, Ulanda.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.11) Comments: Christian, traditional religion.
Dhimba
[dhm] Southwest corner, Atlantic coast, Namibe province, into coastal Benguela province as far as Equimina; east into Cunene and Huíla provinces near Namibia border. 18,000 in Angola (2011). Population total all countries: 30,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chimba, Dimba, Oludhimba, Oluthimba, Otjidhimba, Simba, Tjimba, Zemba Dialects: Hakawona, Tchavikwa.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.311) Comments: Dhimba is part of the southern Helelo (Herero) cluster.
Diriku
[diu] Cuando Cubango province, southeast border with Namibia. 24,000 in Angola. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Dciriku, Diriko, Gciriku, Manyo, Mbogedo, Rugciriku, Rumanyo, Shimbogedu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.332)
Holu
[hol] Kwango river area; northwest Lunda Norte and northeast Malanje provinces. 23,100 in Angola (2000). Population total all countries: 28,200. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Holo, Hongu, Kiholo, Kiholu Dialects: Holu, Yeci. Reportedly similar to Samba [smx]. Yeci may be a separate language. Reportedly related to Kimbundu [kmb].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Pende (L.12) Comments: Different from Holoholo [hoo] of Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Khwe
[xuu] Southeast corner, Cuando Cubango province: Huthembo (Wuthembo), northeast of Likuwa; Lukamba (Lukanga) west of Rivungu. 790 in Angola (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: !Hukwe, Black Bushman, Cazama, Glanda-Khwe, Hukwe, Kxoe, Kxoedam, “Mbarakwena” (pej.), “Mbarakwengo” (pej.), Schekere, Vazama, Water Bushmen, Xu, Xuhwe, Xun, Zama Dialects: Buma-Kxoe.
Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northwest Comments: Traditional religion.
Kikongo
[kng] North, along Congo river below Kinshasa, Uíge and Zaire provinces; northern Bengo and Malanje provinces; southern Cabinda province; small border areas, Cuanza Norte province. Dialects: Kiyombe in Cabinda; Kisikongo and San Salvador in Angola proper. 2,000,000 in Angola (2012 World Factbook). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Congo, Kikoongo, Kongo, Koongo Dialects: Kimanyanga, Kindibu, Kisikongo, Kiwoyo (Cabinda, San Salvador Kongo), Kizombo, Mboka, Ndingi (Ndinzi), South East Kongo (Nkanu, Pende, Zoombo), South Kongo, West Kongo (Fiote, Fioti).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kikongo (H.16) Comments: Kisikongo is the principal dialect. Kiyombe is the main dialect of eastern Cabinda. Together with Kiwoyo, Kiyombe is referred to as Ibinda (the language of Cabinda). Christian.
Kilari
[ldi] Zaire province, northwest corner; possibly scattered communities. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Laadi, Laari, Ladi, Lari Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kikongo (H.16) Comments: Part of Kongo subgroup. Christian, Muslim.
Kimbundu
[kmb] Widespread northwest, mainly Cuanza Norte, Bengo and Malanje provinces; adjacent areas in Cuanza Sul, Uíge, and Luanda provinces. 4,000,000 (2012 World Factbook). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Dongo, Kimbundo, Kindongo, Loanda Mbundu, Loande, Luanda, Lunda, Mbundu, N’bundo, Nbundu, Ndongo, North Mbundu Dialects: Mbaka (Ambaquista), Mbamba (Bambeiro, Kimbamba), Ngola, Njinga (Ginga, Jinga). Mbamba dialect may be a separate language.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kimbundu (H.21)
Kung-Ekoka
[knw] Reportedly in Huíla, Cunene, and Cuando Cubango provinces. 3,400 in Angola (Pakleppa 2003). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ekoko-!Xû, !Hu, !Ku, !Kung, Qxû, !Xu, !Xung Classification: Kx’a, !Kung Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.
Kwadi
[kwz] Namibe province, southwest corner: south of Namibe town, Coroca river area. No known L1 speakers. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Bakoroka, Cuanhoca, Cuepe, Curoca, Koroka, Makoroko, Mucoroca Dialects: Zorotua (Vasorontu).
Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Kwadi
Kwangali
[kwn] South central, Cuando Cubango, Kwangar municipality. 10,900 in Angola (2000). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Cuangar, Kwangare, Kwangari, Rukwangali, Rukwangari, Sikwangali Dialects: Sambyu (Sambio, Sambiu, Shisambyu).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.33) Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.
Lucazi
[lch] Southeast, adjacent areas, southwest Moxico province: Lucazi municipality; Cuando Cubango province: from Mavinga to Kuito Kuanavale. 400,000 in Angola. Population total all countries: 430,600. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chiluchazi, Luchazi, Lujash, Lujazi, Lutchaz, Lutshase, Luxage, Ponda Dialects: None known. Part of Ngangela subgroup. Readily intelligible with all variants of the Ngangela macrolanguage.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.13) Comments: Lucazi is a prestige form of the Ngangela language cluster. Christian, traditional religion.
Luimbi
[lum] Central Angola, Cuanza river watershed, northern Bié and southern Malanje provinces. 43,900 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chiluimbi, Luimbe, Lwimbe, Lwimbi Dialects: None known. Related to Nkangala [nkn] and Mbwela [mfu]; in Ngangela subgroup. Similar to Songo [nsx], less similar to Lucazi [lch] and Ngonzela of Ngangela cluster. Doubtful if intelligible with Mbwela [mfu], as they are not contact languages.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.12)
Lunda
[lun] Northeast, Lunda Norte province: Caungula municipality; Moxico and Lunda Sul provinces, contiguous border area with Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC) and Zambia. 178,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chilunda, Ruund Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Lunda (L.52)
Luvale
[lue] Moxico, southeast provinces. 464,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chiluvale, Lovale, Lubale, Luena, Lwena Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.14) Comments: Christian, traditional religion.
Mashi
[mho] Moxico and Cuando Cubango provinces: west bank, Cuando river. 2,630 in Angola (2000). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Kamaxi, Masi Dialects: Mashi, North Kwandu, South Kwandu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.34) Comments: Nomadic. Different from Mashi [shr] which is related to Havu [hav] of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mashi dialect sometimes called Ndonga, which is not Oshiwambo Ndonga [kua]. Traditional religion.
Mbangala
[mxg] Northeast Malanje province; separate area south central, Canhica area; western Lunda Norte province; very small areas in eastern Uíge and northwestern Lunda Sul provinces; community in Luanda; Kela e Kambundi Katembu, Kahombo. 400,000 (2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bangala, Cimbangala Dialects: Mbangala, Yongo. Reportedly similar to Kimbundu [kmb], but so distinct that different literature is needed.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Yaka (H.34)
Mbukushu
[mhw] Southeast corner: Okavango river, north bank, Cuando Cubango province. 4,000 in Angola (Andersson and Janson 1997). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Cusso, Gova, Kuso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimbukushu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.333) Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.
Mbunda
[mck] Southeast: Moxico province. 135,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Population total all countries: 218,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chimbunda, Mbuunda Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.15) Comments: Different from Mbuun which is a dialect of Mpuono [zmp] in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia and is in Tende-Yanzi group.
Mbwela
[mfu] Large central, southern area, mainly Cuando Cubango province; also in Bié, Moxico, Cunene, and Huíla provinces. 222,000 (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Ambuela, Ambuella, Mbuela, Mbwera, Shimbwera Dialects: None known. Part of Ngangela subgroup. Intelligible with Lucazi [lch], Ngonzela, and Nyemba [nba], and will be able to use the new Lucazi Bible.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.17) Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.
Ndombe
[ndq] Benguela province: south and southeast of Benguela, Ndombe area. 22,300 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dombe Dialects: Not a Uvimbundu [umb] dialect; survey needed.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Umbundu (R.12)
Ngandyera
[nne] Southeast corner: Cuando Cubango province. 13,100 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ngandjera Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.24)
Nkangala
[nkn] Central: Cuando, Kubango and Moxico provinces; southwest of Lucazi [lch], north of Mbwela [mfu] language areas. 22,300 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Cangala, Ngangala Dialects: None known. Member of Ngangela cluster. Intelligible with Nyemba [nba], Mbwela [mfu], Ngonzela, and Lucazi [lch].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.18)
Nkumbi
[khu] Southwest, west bank, Cunene river, Cunene and Huíla provinces; between Dhimba [dhm], Oshiwambo [kua], Nyemba [nba], and Nyaneka [nyk] language areas. 150,000 in Angola (1996 UBS). Population total all countries: 150,100. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Khumbi, Ngumbi, Nkhumbi, Ocinkumbi, Otjingumbi Dialects: Nkumbi-mulondo. Part of Nyaneka [nyk] cluster, but low intelligibility with the central variants of Nyaneka. Bordering on and reportedly similar to the Nyaneka-Gambwe variant.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Umbundu (R.14)
Northwestern !Kung
[vaj] South border with Namibia, Cuando Cubango province: 3 enclaves, one between Mbwela [mfu] and Kwangali [kwn] language areas, another northeast on Cuando river; Cunene province border area, surrounded by Oshiwambu[kua] language area, at least 8 communities; Huambo province. 5,630 in Angola (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Maligo, Northwestern !Xun, !O!kung, !O!ung, Sekela, Vasekela Bushman, Vasekele, Xun Classification: Kx’a, !Kung Comments: Traditional religion.
Nyaneka
[nyk] Southwest, east of Atlantic coast, mainly Huíla and Namibe provinces; also Cunene and Benguela provinces. 300,000 (1996 UBS). All Nyaneka variants together amount to 1,200,000 speakers (2012 Nyaneka Language Association). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Lunyaneka, Nhaneca, Nhaneka, Olunyaneka Dialects: Cilenge, Handa, Humbe, Mwila (Huila, Muila, Olumuila), Ngambwe (Olungambwe), Nyaneka. Nyaneka seems to be a cluster of related but distinct varieties. Nkumbi [khu] is probably part of this cluster too, more closely related to the Handa and Humbe dialects. The cluster is sometimes called Nyaneka-Humbi. Speakers of Humbe and Cilenge have difficulty understanding one another. Lexical similarity: Mwila 79% with Nyaneka, 74% with Ngambwe, 65% with Handa; Nyaneka 80% with Ngambwe, 76% with Handa; Ngambwe 68% with Handa. Humbe 74% with Cilenge.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Umbundu (R.13) Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.
Nyemba
[nba] South central, Cuchi river area, southeast, east Huíla, north Cunene, northwest Cuando Cubango provinces; some in Bié and Huambo. 222,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Population total all countries: 231,540. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Gangela, Ganguela, Ganguella, Ngangela, Nhemba Dialects: None known. Part of Ngangela subgroup. Fully intelligible with Lucazi [lch], Nkangala [nkn], Mbwela [mfu], and Ngonzela.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.12)
Nyengo
[nye] Southeast corner: Cuando Cubango province. 9,380 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Nhengo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.16)
Oshiwambo
[kua] South central, Namibian border: Cunene and Cuando Cubango provinces. 421,000 in Angola (Johnstone 1993). Population total all countries: 668,000. L2 users: 40,000 in Angola (2013 SIL). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity.Its use as an LWC has its origin in its status as the language of the powerful Kwanyama kingdom, influential in what is now southern Angola and northern Namibia throughout the colonial period up to the year 1917. Used in the eastern half of Kunene Province in church, market, business, and media domains. Alternate Names: Cuanhama, Humba, Kuanjama, Kwancama, Kwanjama, Kwanyama, Ochikwanyama, Oshikuanjama, Oshikwanyama, Ovambo, Oxikuanyama, Wambo Dialects: Kwanyama, Mbadja. Intelligible with Ndonga [ndo] and Kwambi [kwm].
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.21)
Portuguese
[por] 87,000 in Angola. Includes 30,000 Brazilian L1 users. In cities, Portuguese increasingly L1 of younger generation. 60% of Angolans use Portuguese, 40% as L1. High level of urbanization due to civil war led to increased use. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 19(1)). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Ruund
[rnd] Northeast, north central Lunda Norte province: Luchibe river area. 98,500 in Angola (2000). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chilu Wunda, Luunda, Muatiamvua, Northern Lunda, Ruwund, Uruund Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Lunda (L.53)
Sama
[smd] Coastal, southern third of Bengo province: south of Luanda, Bengo Kisama; northwest Cuanza Sul province. 24,200 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kissama, Quissama Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kimbundu (H.22)
Songo
[nsx] North central, southeast of Luanda, Malanje, Cuanza Sul, Bié, and Lunda Norte provinces. 50,000 (1978 UBS). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Nsongo, Sungu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kimbundu (H.24)
Umbundu
[umb] West central, mostly Huambo, Cuanza Sul, and Benguela provinces; also Bié, Huíla, Namibe, and Bengo provinces. 6,000,000 (2012 World Factbook). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Kimbari, Mbali, Mbari, M’bundo, Mbundu, Mbundu Benguella, Nano, Olumbali, Ovimbundu, South Mbundu, Umbundo Dialects: Mbalundu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Umbundu (R.11) Comments: Christian, traditional religion.
Yaka
[yaf] North central corner, east of the Kwango river; Uíge province: Kimbele municipality; Malanje province northeast corner. 200,000 in Angola (2000 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Iaca, Iaka, Iyaka, Kiyaka Dialects: Ngoongo, Yaka.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Yaka (H.31)
Yauma
[yax] Southeast, isolated enclave in Lucazi [lch] language area, Moxico province; Cuando Cubango Province, Cuando river area. 17,100 in Angola (2000). Population total all countries: 22,200. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: None known. Part of the Ngangela Subgroup.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.16)
Yombe
[yom] Cabinda. 39,400 in Angola (2000). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bayombe, Ibinda, Iombe, Kiombi, Kiyombe Dialects: Mbala (Mumbala), Vungunya (Kivungunya, Yombe Classique).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kikongo (H.16) Comments: The dialect of Yombe spoken in the northern half of Cabinda is quite different from the Congolese dialect used in the Yombe NT translation, due to influence from the speech varieties of southern Cabinda. Christian, traditional religion.