Makua languages

{{for|the Timorese language Makua|Makuv'a language}}{{Unreferenced|date=February 2026}}{{Infobox language family |name=Makua |altname=Makhuwa |region = [[Mozambique]] |familycolor=Niger-Congo |fam2=[[Atlantic–Congo languages|Atlantic–Congo]] |fam3=[[Volta-Congo]] |fam4=[[Benue–Congo languages|Benue–Congo]] |fam5=[[Bantoid]] |fam6=[[Southern Bantoid]] |fam7=[[Bantu languages|Bantu]] |child1=Makhuwa |child2=Koti, Sakati |child3=Lomwe |child4=Cuabo–Maindo |child5=Moniga |glotto=maku1247 |glottorefname=North Mozambique Bantu }}

The '''Makua''' or '''[[Makhuwa language|Makhuwa]]''' languages are a branch of [[Bantu languages]] spoken primarily in [[Mozambique]].

==Name== The name ''Makua (Macua)'', more precisely ''Makhuwa'', is used on three levels. Some sources distinguish these with differences in spelling 'Makua' vs. 'Makhuwa', but they are not consistent. #Central Makhuwa, or "Makhuwa-Makhuwana", the [[prestige dialect]] #The [[Makhuwa language]], including various dialects which also go by the name ''Makhuwa''; sometimes called 'core' or 'nuclear' Makua, but this is not consistent #Closely related languages which often have their own names, such as [[Lomwe language|Lomwe]] (also known as Western Makua)

==Classification== Makhuwa is assigned to Zone P of the [[Guthrie classification of Bantu languages]]. With the classification of the other Zone-P languages as [[Rufiji–Ruvuma languages|Rufiji–Ruvuma]], Makhuwa becomes essentially synonymous with Zone P. However, the zones are geographic rather than genealogical clades. The closest relatives of the Makhuwa branch are not clear, but some classifications place them with the [[Nyasa languages|Nyasa]] and [[Southern Bantu languages]]. *[[Makhuwa language|Makhuwa]] (Core Makhuwa, including dialects Makhuwa-Meetto, Makhuwa-Shirima, Makhuwa-Marrevone, etc.) *[[Koti language|Koti]] *[[Sakati language|Sakati]] *[[Lomwe language|Lomwe]] (including Ngulu dialect) *[[Chuwabu language|Chuwabu]] *[[Moniga language|Moniga]]

The core languages, and beyond, have minimal [[mutual intelligibility]].

== References == <references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Makua Languages}} [[Category:Makua languages| ]]