| Great Lakes Bantu | |
|---|---|
| Bantu zone J | |
| Geographic distribution | Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Lake Victoria |
| Linguistic classification | Niger–Congo
|
| Glottolog | grea1289 |
The Great Lakes Bantu languages, also known as Lacustrine Bantu and Bantu zone J, are a group of Bantu languages of East Africa. They were recognized as a group by the Tervuren team, who posited them as an additional zone (zone J) to Guthrie's largely geographic classification of Bantu.[1]
Languages
The languages are, according to Bastin, Coupez, & Mann (1999), with Sumbwa added per Nurse (2003):
- Gungu (E10)
- Bwari (Kabwari) (D50)
- Konzo (D40): Konjo, Nande, ? Kobo
- Shi–Havu (D50): Hunde, Havu, Shi, Tembo, Nyindu, Fuliiro
- Rwanda-Rundi (D60): Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Shubi, Hangaza, Ha, Vinza
- Nyoro–Ganda (E10): Ganda, Nyankore, Nyoro, Tooro, Hema, Chiga, Soga, Gwere, West Nyala, Ruli
- (See also Runyakitara language, Nkore-Kiga)
- Haya–Jita (E20): Haya–Rashi, Talinga-Bwisi, Zinza, Kerebe (Kerewe), Jita–Kara–Kwaya–Ruri, Nyambo, Subi
- Masaba–Luhya (E30): Masaba (incl. Bukusu), Luhya proper, Nyore, Nyole, Samia–Songa, Marachi, Khayo
- Logooli–Kuria (E40): Ngurimi, Ikizu–Sizaki/Shashi, Suba, Suba-Simbiti, Kabwa, Singa, Logoli (Luhya), Idaxo-Isuxa-Tiriki (Luhya), Gusii (Kisii), Kuria (Simbiti, Hacha, Surwa, Sweta), Zanaki, Ikoma, ?Ware
- Sumbwa (F20)
The codes in parentheses are Guthrie's original geographic classification. Maho (2009) adds Yaka. Kobo was recognized later. It's said to be about equidistant between Nande and Hunde, so it's not clear where it should be in the tree above.
Notes
- ^ Derek Nurse, 2003, The Bantu Languages