# Mwanga language

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Bantu language spoken in Zambia and Tanzania

Namwanga Ichinamwanga Native to Zambia, Tanzania Ethnicity Mwanga people Native speakers (230,000 cited 1987– 2010 census)[1] Language family Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Bantu Rukwa Mbozi Mwika Namwanga Dialects Iwa Tambo Language codes ISO 639-3 mwn Glottolog nyam1275 Guthrie code M.22,26,27[2]

**Mwanga**, or **Namwanga** (Nyamwanga), is a [Bantu language](/source/Bantu_languages) spoken by the [Mwanga people](/source/Mwanga_people) in the [Muchinga Province](/source/Muchinga_Province%2C_Zambia) of [Zambia](/source/Zambia)[3] (mainly in the districts of [Isoka](/source/Isoka_District) and [Nakonde](/source/Nakonde_District)) and in [Mbeya Region](/source/Mbeya_Region), [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania). The 2010 Zambian census found 140,000 speakers. The current number in Tanzania is unknown; *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* cites a figure from 1987 of 87,000.[1]

There are also some speakers of Namwanga in the north-west part of [Chitipa District](/source/Chitipa_District) in northern [Malawi](/source/Malawi).[4]

The Namwanga language is similar to the [Mambwe language](/source/Mambwe_language) spoken by the [Mambwe people](/source/Mambwe_people) of [Mbala](/source/Mbala%2C_Zambia) and [Mpulungu](/source/Mpulungu) districts and the [Lungu people](/source/Lungu_people) also found in Isoka. Other similar smaller peoples include the [Lambyas](/source/Lambya), the [Nyikas](/source/Mijikenda_peoples) and the [Wandyas](/source/Wanda_people).

## Alphabet

Nyamwanga has 5 vowels and 17 consonants, a total of 22 letters

Vowels: A E I O U

Consonants: B D F G H J K L M N P S SH T V W Y Z

## Sample text

- *Amulandu ci wuno Yesu atalesizye umuntu wino wafumyanga iviwa mwi zina lyakwe nanti aca kuti atalinji pa wasambilizi wakwe?*

- Why did Jesus not prevent a man from expelling demons, even though the man was not following him?

- Mwalinda tata?

- Good afternoon Father.

## Namwanga names

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Among the Namwanga, the personal name is typically bestowed upon a child either before or after the detachment of the umbilical cord. Unlike some neighboring cultures, the Namwanga do not use temporary birth names; instead, real and permanent names are given at birth. These names are selected by elderly family members to reflect Namwanga traditions and culture.

### Surnames

Namwanga surnames often follow specific linguistic patterns to denote gender and family identity. While many first names are gender-neutral, surnames are frequently morphologically marked to indicate sex using specific prefixes:

- **Si-**: A prefix added to the root name to denote a male (e.g., *Si-mukonda*).

- **Na-**: A prefix added to the root name to denote a female (e.g., *Na-mukonda*).

Some Namwanga surnames do not follow this prefix rule but are inherently understood within the community as referring to the same family.

Male Surname Female Surname Siame Nakamba Sichone Namonje Sikombe Nakaponda Silwizya Nakalumbi Sikalangwe Nachona

### First names

Namwanga first names are grouped into various socio-semantic themes based on the experiences of the name-giver. These themes include clan names, names expressing the ability to fight, names that reflect character, Names that reflect gossiping, names expressing complaint, names expressing ownership, names expressing care, names expressing unity, names expressing hatred and special names.

First name Gender Socio-semantic theme Meaning Alinani Male He is with Me Alinaswe Female He is with Us Alinjavwa He wIll Help Alinjita He will call me Alinjvwa He wIll Hear me Chamunda Sichilongo Clan Name Changala Chikulamayembe Carrier of Hoes Chilolwa Sichilongo Clan Name Chilumba Chiluwa Chimwemwe Chinvya Victory Chinyanyali Names Expressing Complaint Dirt Chipando Chipansya Chipwelile Lazyness Chiwanza Chiwutwe Names Expressing Ownership Owner Chizengo Names Expressing Unity Build or Unite Chuswa Chuusa Sichilongo Clan Name Imbanji Suffering Izukanji Memory Kachinga Male Protector Kafwatula Sichilongo Clan Name Kafwimbi Names Expressing the Ability to Fight Conqueror Kamyalile Kangafwe Kapewa Simwawa Clan Name Kasempa Simwawa Clan Name Katwamakondo Simwawa Clan Name Kongonsyanji Kundananji Love One Another Kusechela Rejoycing Kuzipa Beautiful Landanji Names that Reflect Gossiping Keep on Talking Lavya Saviour Lenganji Asking God Leukanji Reflect Lolelanji Something to look up too Lukundo Love Lumbulanji Calm Down Lumvya Luswepo Light Luwala Luwito Maimbo Names Expressing Complaint Problems Manda Days Matula Names that Reflect Character Destroyer Matumbe Mbepa Names that Reflect Gossiping Lie Melezyo Temptations Mengwa Names Expressing Unity Peace Mpazi Spirit Mpoli Mtinde Muchindikeni Muchinga Sichilongo Clan Name Muchinzi Names Expressing Care Respect Mukatakulima Mukombe Mukomanji Kill Mukundwe Mukalakata Simwawa Clan Name Mulotwa Mulwanda Musanya Musekanji Names Expressing Complaint Keep on Laughing at Him or Her Musenga Special Names Born After a Dead Brother Musiyani Leave him Mutukanji Names Expressing Complaint Keep on Laughing at Him or Her Mukukwanji Muvwambe Muvwanjilanji Muwemba Mwaka Mwezi Mwiche Mwinji Siame Clan Name Abundance Mwivwilanji Mwiza Mwizukanji Myalalanji Namonje Queen Namposya Namwinga Nataizya Thank You Nasalifya Thank You Nchindika Ndanji Welcome Ndinawe I am with You Ndipo Ndolanji Names Expressing Care Keep on Seeing Me Ndosilwe Blessing Ngao Siame Clan Name Niza I Have Come Njavwa Help Nkambaku The Alpha Male Bull Nkumbu Grace Nkusechela Nkusuwila Unisex Trust in God Nkuwanga Ntakasi Ntamanyile Ntamuwosya Ntapalila Ntapechela Ntasuwile Ntawandulwa Ntiwilila I Will Not Froget Nzala Hunger Pawi Special Names Born when there was a Funeral for a Family Member Pepanji Keep on Praying Pupuzyanji Salifyanji Names Expressing Care Keep on Thanking Sankananji Hapiness Sechelanji Sekanji Simawe Sungananji Keep Each Other Sunganji Suwilanji Unisex Faith Suwilo Swensi Tamikanji Trouble Tasula Temwananji Temwani Tengawezi Bring Together Tepwanji Be Calm Tepechela Names that Reflect Character Careless Tetelanji Unisex Forgive Tukuya Tupilwa Tusankine Twapelwa Twiza We Have Come Ulanda Vilezu Vwambanji Vwanganji Names that Reflect Gossiping Keep on Talking Wachinvwa Walukundo God is Love Waimbila Names Expressing Complaint Suffering Wanjavwa You Have Helped Me Wanjavwa You Have Heard Me Wankumbu Mercy Wankunda You Love Me Wantula Wapetwa Names that Express Hatred You are Hated Wampa God has Given Me Wamusula Disrespect Wamusuwila Trust Wantota Tired Watupa Unisex Wayimanyila Winganji Names that Express Hatred Keep on Chasing Him or Her Wiza Unisex He or She has Come Wuzyanji Yimbanji Yivwananji Names Expressing Unity Keep on Understanding Each Other Yowani Zanji Come Zevyanji Zewelanji Rejoyce Ziukanji Zonto Names that Reflect Gossiping Talking anyhow

## Favourite foods

- Beans and Okra commonly known as Kumbi

- Cassava

- Millet

## See also

- [Languages of Zambia](/source/Languages_of_Zambia)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-e18_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-e18_1-1) [Namwanga](https://www.ethnologue.com/18/language/mwn/) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)

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. **[^](#cite_ref-Bickmore_3-0)** Lee S. Bickmore (2000). ["Downstep and fusion in Namwanga"](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=B7959E101F2BE6F5F41CB35569064D8B.tomcat1?fromPage=online&aid=78061#fn1). *Cambridge Journals (Cambridge University Press)*. Retrieved 2007-02-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [University of Malawi Language Mapping Survey (2006)](http://unima-cls.org/Docs/MappingNorthernMalawi/lm-northernmalawi.pdf), p. 29.

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 Languages of Zambia Official language English Regional languages Bemba Kaonde Lozi Lunda Luvale Nyanja Tonga Tumbuka Indigenous languages Bwile Chokwe Ila Kuhane Kunda Kwangwa Lala-Bisa Lamba Lenje Luyana Mambwe-Lungu Mbamba Bay Mbowe Mbukushu Mbunda Mwanga Nkangala Nkoya Nsenga Shanjo Shona Soli Tabwa Wanda Yao Sign languages Zambian Sign Language

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 [Mwanga language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mwanga_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mwanga_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.