Lamba language

{{Short description|Bantu language spoken in Zambia and DRC}} {{About|the Bantu language|the Lama language spoken by the Lamba people of Togo|Lama language}} {{Infobox language |name=Lamba |nativename=''Ichilamba'' |states= [[Zambia]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] |region=Copperbelt |ethnicity=[[Lamba people (Zambia)|Lamba people]] |speakers={{sigfig|201,000|2}} in Zambia |date=2010 census |ref=e18 |speakers2=unknown but smaller number in DRC |familycolor=Niger-Congo |fam2=[[Atlantic–Congo languages|Atlantic–Congo]] |fam3=[[Benue–Congo languages|Benue–Congo]] |fam4=[[Bantoid languages|Bantoid]] |fam5=[[Bantu languages|Bantu]] |fam6=[[Botatwe languages|Botatwe]] |fam7=South |iso2=lam |iso3=lam |glotto=lamb1271 |glottorefname=Lamba |guthrie=M.54,541,542 }}

'''Lamba''' is a language found in [[Zambia]] and is commonly spoken in the [[Copperbelt]]. There are about 210,000 native speakers in the northern parts of Zambia and southern fringes of the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. Lamba is also spoken in [[Lusaka]], mainly because many speakers have migrated there for jobs. Lamba is a [[Bantu languages|Bantu language]]. (In fact, "mu ntu" means "one person" in Lamba and "ba ntu" means "two or more people".) Depending on who does the counting, Zambia has between 42 and 78 local languages besides [[English language|English]] – see [[Languages of Zambia]] for further details.

Maho (2009) lists the Lima (''Bulima'') and Temba varieties as distinct languages.

==Oral literature== In 1927, [[Clement Doke]] published ''Lamba Folklore,''<ref>Doke, Clement (1927). ''[https://archive.org/details/lambafolklore20doke Lamba Folklore]''.</ref> a collection of Lamba texts with English translations. The book contains 159 Lamba stories with English translations,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/lambafolklore20doke/page/23/mode/2up?view=theater Doke 1927], pp. 2-279.</ref> 1695 proverbs,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/lambafolklore20doke/page/282/mode/2up?view=theater Doke 1927], pp. 283-519.</ref> 144 riddles,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/lambafolklore20doke/page/549/mode/2up?view=theater Doke 1927], pp. 550-570.</ref> and 95 songs (lyrics but no music).<ref>[https://archive.org/details/lambafolklore20doke/page/522/mode/2up?view=theater Doke 1927], pp. 523-545.</ref> Here are some of the proverbs: *"''Awana-wa-nkasi wa li awene umuninga.''" "The brothers divided a peanut. (The story goes that two brothers were so fond of one another that, when one picked up a single peanut, he split it in half to share with his brother.)" (#148) *"''Cipa ca minwe, amenso a la wepa.''" "A gift is a thing for the hand, the eyes lie (i.e. don't consider a thing yours till you have it in your hand)." (#184) *"''Funda-wutesi e u wa.''" "The one who warns against slipping is the one who falls (i.e. practice what you preach)." (#239) *"''Iciwa mutima, iminwe ta iwa.''" "The thief is the heart, the fingers do not steal." (#327) Here are some of the riddles: *"''Aka mina nyina? Mbe'cikwamu.''" "The little thing that swallows its mother? A match (for, when struck, the fire consumes the match-stick)." (#7) *"''Akanamaka kenda ku minefu, amafupa ka ka kakila-po? Mba kofwa. ''" "A little animal that journeys on its flesh, and its bones it ties on top? The snail." (#10) *"''Akasinga akapelele kwesu kwiwala? Mba kakumo.''" "The last little stump in our garden? The little toe." (#24) *"''Ici tonkala mu masala? Mbo'mutima.''" "That which digs about in the deserted village? The heart (the heart always turns to think of the past)." (#75)

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Languages of Zambia]] [[Category:Languages of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]] [[Category:Sabi languages]]