# Lambya language

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Bantu language spoken in Tanzania and Malawi

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Lambya Ichilambya Native to Tanzania, Malawi Ethnicity Lambya Native speakers 100,000 (2009–2017)[1] Language family Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Bantu Rukwa Mbozi Mbeya South Lambya Writing system Latin script Mwangwego script Official status Recognised minority language in Malawi Language codes ISO 639-3 lai Glottolog lamb1272 Guthrie code M.201,202[2]

**Lambya** ([Rambia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rambia&action=edit&redlink=1)) is a [Bantu language](/source/Bantu_languages) of [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania) and [Malawi](/source/Malawi). In [Northern Malawi](/source/Northern_Malawi) it is spoken particularly in the [Chitipa District](/source/Chitipa_District).[3]

[Sukwa](/source/Sukwa_people), once thought to be a dialect of [Nyakyusa](/source/Nyakyusa_language), is now considered to be a dialect of [Lambya](/source/Lambya_people).[4] The [University of Malawi Language Mapping Survey for Northern Malawi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=University_of_Malawi_Language_Mapping_Survey_for_Northern_Malawi&action=edit&redlink=1) (2006), agreeing with this, found that the three languages [Cilambya](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cilambya&action=edit&redlink=1), [Cindali](/source/Ndali_language), and Cisukwa form a single dialect group, although there are differences between them, especially between Cilambya and the other two. The examples below come in the order Lambya, [Ndali](/source/Ndali_language), Sukwa:[5]

- Person = *umunthu*, *umundu*, *umundu*

- Grasshopper = *imphanzi*, *imbashi*, *imbasi*

- Scorpion = *kalizga*, *kalisha*, *kalisya*

- Maize = *ivilombe*, *ifilombe*, *ifilombe*

- Dog = *imbwa*, *ukabwa*, *ukabwa*

- Bird = *chiyuni*, *kayuni*, *kayuni*

- Snail = *inkhozo*, *ingofu*, *ingofo*

## An example of Lambya

The Language Mapping Survey gives further vocabulary and also a short text (the Tortoise and the Hare) in all three dialects.[3] The Lambya version of the story goes as follows:

- *UKALULU NU KAYAMBA* (Lambia)

- *Mukaya mukaŵa izala. Po ukayamba akaya pakulaŵa ivyakulya ku ŵanthu. Nanthi ŵamupa ivyakulya vila akapotwagha ukuyamula chifukwa chakuti mupimpha. Chifukwa chinicho akapinyilira isaka kulukusa ulutali leka, lo akivwalika munsingo. Nanthi anda pakwenda isaka lira likamukonkhe zyanga munyumwa mwache.*

- *Ŵoachili akwenda ukuya ku nyumba kwache, Ukalulu akiza munyuma. Akati alyenya isaka lira akanena ukuti: "Nalombola isaka, lyane!" Ukayamba akiza ati "We Kalulu, isaka linilo lyane, enia ulukusa ulu imphinyiliye munsingo ukuti ponkwenda ingusaghe." Ukalulu akiza akana akati: "Pofwandi tuŵuke kwa mwene aye atulonganie." Ukalulu akati anena ŵunuŵo ŵakiza ŵaya kwa mwene kula. Umwene yula akadumula ukuti wadumule ulukusa lo Ukayamba akavwala musingo nukusenda isaka lira ukumupa Ukalulu.*

- *Isiku ilyinji Ukalulu akendagha, Ukayamba akiza munyuma mwache. Akiza anena ukuti: "Nalombola umusinda wane!" Ukalulu akati "Asa! Wefulu umusinda tewako wane!" Ufulu akakana akati "Nalombola wane." Po ŵovyawa ŵunuŵu ŵosi ŵaŵiri ŵakiza ŵapangana ukuti ŵaye kwa mwene aye aŵalonganie. Kwa mwene kula inongwa yikiza yamunoghela Ukayamba. Umwene akiza adumula ukuti ŵadumule umusinda wa Kalulu ŵamupe Ukayamba.*

The story may be translated as follows:

- In the village there was a famine. So Tortoise went to beg food from people. When they gave him that food he wasn't able to carry it because he was short. For this reason he tied a sack to a very long rope and wore it round his neck. As he was walking along that sack was following behind him.

- As he was going to his home, Hare was coming behind him. When he saw that sack he said, "I've found it, my sack!" Tortoise said, "Hare, this sack is mine! See this rope I've tied to my neck so that when walking I can pull it." Hare denied it saying, "It's better we go to the chief so that he can decide." When Hare said this, they went to that chief. That chief judged that they should cut Tortoise's rope and take the sack and give it to Hare.

- Another day, when Hare was walking, Tortoise came behind him. He said: "I've found it, my tail!" Hare said, "Nonsense! The tail isn't yours, it's mine!" Tortoise denied it saying, "I found it, it's mine." Since this was the situation, they both decided that they should go to the chief so that he could decide. At the chief's the case went in favour of Tortoise. The chief decided that they should cut off Hare's tail and give it to Tortoise.

## Further reading

- Mtenje, Atikonda (2016). [*A comparative analysis of the Phonology and Morpho-syntax of Cisukwa, Cindali and Cilambya*](https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/item/26382/thesis_hum_2016_mtenje_atikonda.pdf?sequence=1). (University of Cape Town PhD thesis)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-e25_1-0)** [Lambya](https://www.ethnologue.com/25/language/lai) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (25th ed., 2022)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Guthrie_2-0)** Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. [New Updated Guthrie List Online](https://web.archive.org/web/20180203191542/http://goto.glocalnet.net/mahopapers/nuglonline.pdf)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LMS_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LMS_3-1) University of Malawi Language Mapping Survey for Northern Malawi (2006) (see External links).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Nurse, Derek (1988) "The Diachronic Background to the Language Communities of South Western Tanzania" in *Sprache und Geschichte in Afrika* vol 9, 15-115.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Language Mapping Survey for Northern Malawi](http://unima-cls.org/Docs/MappingNorthernMalawi/lm-northernmalawi.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210413225347/http://unima-cls.org/Docs/MappingNorthernMalawi/lm-northernmalawi.pdf) 2021-04-13 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). University of Malawi Centre for Language Studies, 2006, pp. 70–71.

## External links

- [Language Mapping Survey for Northern Malawi](http://unima-cls.org/Docs/MappingNorthernMalawi/lm-northernmalawi.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210413225347/http://unima-cls.org/Docs/MappingNorthernMalawi/lm-northernmalawi.pdf) 2021-04-13 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). University of Malawi Centre for Language Studies, 2006.

- [Language Map of Northern Malawi](http://unima-cls.org/Docs/MappingNorthernMalawi/mw-north-a4.jpg) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210413225407/http://unima-cls.org/Docs/MappingNorthernMalawi/mw-north-a4.jpg) 2021-04-13 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Paper by Martin Walsh and Imani Swilla on South-West Tanzanian languages (2002)](http://www.gu.se/digitalAssets/1316/1316287_linguistics-in-the-corridor.pdf)

v t e Languages of Tanzania Official languages Swahili English Indigenous languages Bantu Northeast Bantu Bena–Kinga Bena Hehe Kinga Kisi Manda Pangwa Sangu Vwanji Chaga Central Kilimanjaro Mochi Gweno Rombo Rusa West Kilimanjaro Great Lakes Ha Hangaza Ikizu Ikoma Jita Kabwa Kara Kerewe Kuria Kwaya Ngoreme Nyambo Suba-Simbiti Sumbwa Vinza Zanaki Zinza Kikuyu–Kamba Sonjo Northeast Coast Digo Doe Gogo Kagulu Kami Kutu Kwere Luguru Ngulu Sagara Shambala Vidunda Zaramo Takama Holoholo Iramba Isanzu Kimbu Nyamwezi Sukuma Turu Kilombero Mbunga Ndamba Pogolo Rufiji–Ruvuma Tumbuka Matengo Matumbi Mpoto Mwera Ndendeule Ndengereko Ndonde Ngindo Ngoni Nindi Yao Rukwa Bungu Fipa Lambya Malila Mambwe-Lungu Mwanga Nyakyusa Nyiha Nyika Safwa Wanda Other Bantu Bemba Makhuwa Mbamba Bay Mbugwe Rangi Cushitic Alagwa Asa Burunge Gorowa Iraqw Kwʼadza Nilotic Akie Datooga Kisankasa Kwavi Maasai Mediak Mosiro Ngasa Luo Ogiek Isolates/unclassified Hadza Sandawe Omaio "Serengeti-Dorobo" Sign languages 7 school sign languages

v t e Narrow Bantu languages (Zones J–M) (by Guthrie classification) Zone J* [J]D40 [J]D41 Konzo [J]D42 Ndandi [J]D43 Nyanga [J]D50 [J]D51 Hunde [J]D52 Haavu [J]D53 Nyabungu [J]D54 Bembe [J]D55 Buyi [J]D56 Kabwari [JD501 Nyindu [J]JD502 Yaka [J]JD531 Tembo [J]D60 [J]D61 Ruanda [J]D62 Rundi [J]D63 Fuliiro [J]D64 Subi [J]D65 Hangaza [J]D66 Ha [J]D67 Vinza [JD631 Vira [J]E10 [J]E11 Nyoro [J]E12 Tooro [J]E13 Nyankore [J]E14 Ciga [J]E15 Ganda [J]E16 Soga [J]E17 Gwere [J]E18 Nyala [JE101 Gungu JE102 Talinga-Bwisi JE103 Ruli JE121 Hema [J]E20 [J]E21 Nyambo [J]E22 Ziba [J]E23 Dzindza [J]E24 Kerebe [J]E25 Jita [JE221 Rashi JE251 Kwaya JE252 Kara JE253 Ruri [J]E30 [J]E31a Gisu [J]E31b Kisu [J]E31c Bukusu [J]E32a Hanga [J]E32b Tsotso [J]E33 Nyore [J]E34 Saamia [J]E35 Nyuli [JE341 Xaayo JE342 Marachi JE343 Songa [J]E40 [J]E41 Logooli [J]E42 Gusii [J]E43 Koria [J]E44 Zanaki [J]E45 Nata E46 Sonjo [JE401 Nguruimi JE402 Ikizu JE403 Suba/Suba-Simbiti JE404 Shashi JE405 Kabwa JE406 Singa JE407 Ware JE411 Idaxo JE412 Isuxa JE413 Tiriki JE431 Simbiti JE432 Hacha JE433 Surwa JE434 Sweta [J]F20 [J]F21 Sukuma [J]F22 Nyamwezi [J]F23 Sumbwa [J]F24 Kimbu [J]F25 Bungu Zone K K10 K11 Chokwe K12a Luimbi K12b Nyemba K13 Lucazi K14 Lwena K15 Mbunda K16 Nyengo K17 Mbwela K18 Nkangala K20 K21 Lozi K30 K31 Luyana K32 Mbowe K33 Kwangali K34 Mashi K35 Simaa K36 Sanjo K37 Kwangwa [K321 Mbume K322 Liyuwa K332 Manyo K333 Mbukushu K334 Mbogedu K351 Mulonga K352 Mwenyi K353 Koma K354 Imilangu K371 Kwandi K40 K41 Totela K42 Subiya [K402 Fwe K411 Totela of Namibia Zone L L10 L11 Pende L12 Samba & Holu L13 Kwese [L101 Sonde L20 L21 Kete L22 Binji Mbagani L23 Songe L24 Luna [L201 Budya L202 Yazi L221 Lwalwa L231 Binji L30 L31a Luba-Kasai L31b Lulua L32 Kanyoka L33 Luba-Katanga L34 Hemba L35 Sanga [L301 Kebwe L331 Zeela L40 L41 Kaonde L50 L51 Salampasu L52 Lunda L53 Ruund [L511 Luntu L60 L61 Mbwera L62 Nkoya [L601 Kolwe L602 Lushangi L603 Shasha Zone M M10 M11 Pimbwe M12 Rungwa M13 Fipa M14 Rungu M15 Mambwe [M131 Kuulwe M20 M21 Wanda M22 Mwanga M23 Nyiha M24 Malila M25 Safwa M26 Iwa M27 Tambo [M201 Lambya M202 Sukwa M30 M31 Nyakyusa [M301 Ndali M302 Penja M40 M41 Taabwa M42 Bemba [M401 Bwile M402 Aushi M50 M51 Biisa M52 Lala M53 Swaka M54 Lamba M55 Seba [M521 Ambo M522 Luano M541 Lima M542 Temba M60 M61 Lenje M62 Soli M63 Ila M64 Tonga [M611 Lukanga Twa M631 Sala M632 Lundwe M633 Kafue Twa Italics indicate extinct languages. Languages between parentheses are varieties of the language on their left. The Guthrie classification is geographic and its groupings do not imply a relationship between the languages within them. Narrow Bantu languages by Guthrie classification zone templates Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones A–B) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones C–D) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones E–H) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones J–M) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones N–S)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lambya language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambya_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambya_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.