Series: "In the Footsteps of the Bantu" - Episode 2: Tracing the Bantu Footsteps: A Journey Through Words and Cultures – The Bantu Languages
- Márcia Oliveira
- 27 de dez. de 2024
- 6 min de leitura
By Márcia Oliveira
In the vast and diverse continent of Africa, Bantu languages stand as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural and linguistic tapestry. Episode 2 of our series “Tracing the Bantu Footsteps” invites us to explore the fascinating journey of Bantu languages, uncovering their origins, characteristics, and the immense diversity they embody.
Definition and Origin
The term “Bantu” is a linguistic creation introduced in the 19th century by German linguist Wilhelm Bleek. The word Bâ-ntu (BLEEK, 1862, p. 4) combines the prefix ba-, indicating plurality, with the root ntu, meaning “person”. Thus, “bantu” refers to “people” or “humans”, highlighting a common feature among many of these languages: the use of a nominal class system. This subgroup of “Bantu languages” belongs to the Niger-Congo linguistic family, the largest in the world.
Figure 1 - The "Bantu" Subgroup of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family
Fonte: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantus#Bibliografia “Location of Niger-Congo Linguistic Subgroups”.
Geographical Distribution
Bantu languages are spoken across a vast area from the west of Africa, in Cameroon, to the east in Kenya, and down to the southern tip of the continent. Countries like Angola, Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are prime examples where these languages flourish. The geolinguistic classification system by Guthrie (1967-1971), later modified by Maho (2003, 2009), helps map these languages.
Figure 2 - Map of the African Continent with the Division of the Bantu Group into Geolinguistic Zones
Source: Santos (2000: 13) - figure 3, renumbered and renamed.
In Figure 2 (SANTOS 2000: 13), the division of the Bantu group into geolinguistic zones by Guthrie (1967-1971) is presented, including modifications by Maho (2003). The orange shading in the figure represents the Angolan territorial area, and the dot (.) points to the municipality of Libolo, where the Quimbundo of Libolo, often called Ngoya, is spoken.
In the geolinguistic classification system of Bantu languages, the first digit, representing a tens place, corresponds to a group of related languages (such as H20 for Quimbundo - Table 1), while the second digit, the unit, designates a more specific set of dialects within that group (HEINE & NURSE, 2020).
Ethnolinguistic Diversity
It is crucial to understand that there is no single “Bantu culture” or “Bantu language”. Instead, there is a vast array of languages sharing linguistic features but differing in many other aspects. This diversity is a testament to the rich and multifaceted linguistic landscape of the Bantu-speaking regions.
Figure 3 - African Leaders from Different Bantu Ethnic Groups of Various Countries
Linguistic Characteristics
Bantu languages are renowned for their complex nominal class system, which organizes nouns into categories comparable to genders in languages like Portuguese and German. However, the complexity and number of categories in Bantu languages are significantly greater, reflecting a rich and multifaceted linguistic diversity.Observe the nominal classes in the Kimbundu language below:
Table 1 - Nominal classes of Kimbundu
GENDERS | CLASSES (SG/PL) | Reference Value | EXAMPLES SG/PL |
I | 1-2 mu/a | human | mútú/átu 'person' |
II | 3-4 mu/mi | plant | múxi/míxi 'tree' |
III | 5-6 di/ma | body | dizíw/mázwi 'tongue' |
IV | 7-8 ki/i | manufactured | kínú/ínú 'pestle' |
V | 9-10 Ø; i/ji | animal | hómbó/jhómbó 'goat' |
VI | 11-6 lu/ma | object | lúmbu/málumbu 'wall' |
VII | 12-13 ka/tu | diminutive | kámbwá/túmbwá 'puppy' |
VIII | 14-6 u/ma | abstract | úkâmbà/mákâmbà'friendship' |
IX | 15-6 ku/ma | infinitive | kúìá/mákúìá 'to go', 'going' |
| 16 bu | on top of | búlú 'in the sky' |
| 17 ku | near | kúkù 'around here' |
| 18 mu | inside | múbátà 'in the house' |
Source: Figueiredo, Petter, Monte (2021: 131); based on Bonvini (1996). Table 3, renumbered and renamed.
In Kimbundo, as observed in Table 1, the noun classes are identified by prefixes that vary to indicate singular and plural and mostly have a referential value:
Table 2 - Classes 1/2 － Gender I in Kimbundu
Classes1/2 － Gender I
|
Sentence with mútù “person” (i) Wabigila mutu mudele Arrived person white “A white person has arrived” |
In Kimbundo, as in all Bantu languages, the noun class system affects agreement throughout the sentence, influencing verbs, adjectives, and pronouns that must agree with the noun in gender and number. In non-Bantu languages like Pepel, agreement is also observed, although it is not as comprehensive and regular as in Bantu languages (IÉ, 2022). In sentence (i) of Table 2, the subject is hidden, so the agreement prefix wa- is third person. Note the agreement between the noun mutu and its adjective mudele meaning “white man”.
The noun class system in Bantu languages, as exemplified by Kimbundo, affects agreement throughout the sentence, influencing verbs, adjectives, and pronouns. This system is a distinctive feature that uniquely structures the grammar and syntax of these languages. See example (i) in Table 2.
The Swahili Language
Swahili, or Kiswahili, is one of the most well-known Bantu languages, playing a significant role as a lingua franca in East Africa. It is spoken in countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, where it serves as an official language or for interethnic communication, facilitating interaction among diverse cultural groups.
Figure 4 - Areas of East Africa where Swahili is a native, official, or trade language.
Fonte: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%ADngua_sua%C3%ADli. The translation is ours.
Swahili is a language rich in history and culture, having been influenced by various languages over the centuries, including Arabic, due to historical contact with Arab traders. It is spoken in twelve countries:
Tanzania: Swahili is the national and official language, widely used in the education system, public administration, and media.
Kenya: It is one of the official languages and is spoken throughout the country, playing a crucial role in education and media.
Uganda: Used as an interethnic communication language, especially in the military and official contexts.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Spoken in the eastern regions, particularly in areas near Lake Tanganyika.
Mozambique: Used in some northern areas, facilitating communication among different ethnic groups.
Rwanda: Although not an official language, it is understood and used in some regions, especially in commercial and informal contexts.
Burundi: As in Rwanda, it is understood and used in some regions, especially in commercial and informal contexts.
Comoros Islands: Swahili is spoken due to geographic proximity and historical interactions with the Swahili coast.
Madagascar: Used in some coastal communities, reflecting historical and trade ties.
Malawi: Spoken in some areas, facilitating trade and social interaction.
Somalia: Although not widely spoken, Swahili is known by some communities due to historical and trade ties.
Zambia: Used in some regions, especially in areas close to Tanzania.
Cultural and Historical Impact
Understanding Bantu languages is essential for appreciating the complexity and richness of human experience reflected in language. As we continue our journey “Tracing the Bantu Footsteps”, we recognize the importance of these languages not only in Africa but across the globe.
To read more:
Bleek, W. H. I. (1862). A Comparative Grammar of South African Languages. Londres: Trübner & Co.
Bonvini, E. (1996). “Classes d’accord” dans les langues négro-africaines. Un trait typologique du Niger-Congo. Exemples du kasim et du kimbundu. Faits de Langues, Revue Linguistique Ophys, (8), 77-78.
Figueiredo, C. F. G., Petter, M. M. T., & do Monte, V. M. (2021). Análise comentada do manuscrito “Guia de conversação portuguesa para uso dos libolos”, do padre Renato Robert. Revista do GEL, 18(3), 115-142.
Guthrie, M. (1967-1971). Comparative Bantu. Farmborough: Gregg.
Heine, B., Nurse, D. (Eds.). (2000). African languages: an introduction. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Ié, I. A. (2022). Marcação de plural: um estudo semântico de classe nominal no pepel. Dissertação de Mestrado, Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas, Universidade de São Paulo. doi: 10.11606/D.8.2022.tde-20092022-183926. Recuperado em 12 dez. 2024, de www.teses.usp.br.
Maho, J. (2003). A classification of Bantu languages: an update of Guthrie’s referential system. In: NURSE, D.; PHIPLLIPSON, Gérard (Orgs.). The Bantu languages. Londres/Nova York: Routledge.
Maho, J. (2009). NUGL Online. The online version of the New Updated Guthrie List, a referential classification of the Bantu languages. Recuperado em 14 dez. 2024, de chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://brill.com/fileasset/downloads_products/35125_Bantu-New-updated-Guthrie-List.pdf.
Santos, V. G. (2020). Aspectos prosódicos do português angolano do Libolo: entoação e fraseamento. Tese de Doutorado, Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas, Universidade de São Paulo. doi: 10.11606/T.8.2020.tde-03032020-174301. Recuperado em 12 dez. 2024, de www.teses.usp.br.
For more fascinating episodes and stories about African languages and cultures, stay tuned to our blog “In the Lines of Time” at africaemponto.com.
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