Ethnologue report for Angola
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Angola
Languages of Angola
See language map.
[See also SIL publications on the languages of Angola.]
Republic of Angola. República de Angola. 10,978,552. National or official languages: Portuguese, Koongo, Mbundu, Chokwe, Mbunda, Kwanyama (Oxikuanyama). Literacy rate: 30%. Information mainly from Redinha 1970; J. Bendor-Samuel 1989. Blind population: 12,000. The number of languages listed for Angola is 42. Of those, 41 are living languages and 1 is extinct.
Living languages
Bolo
[blv]
2,627 (2000 WCD). Southeast of Luanda.
Alternate names: Libolo, Lubolo, Haka.
Dialects: Related to Mbundu, Nsongo, Sama.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
More information.
Chokwe
[cjk]
455,800 in Angola (1991). Northeastern Lunda District, and some in eastern Bie, western Moxico, and central Cuando Cubango.
Alternate names: Ciokwe, Cokwe, Shioko, Kioko, Quioco, Djok, Tshokwe, Tschiokloe.
Dialects: Minungo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Diriku
[diu]
Southeastern border with Namibia, between Kwangali and Ndonga.
Alternate names: Mbogedo, Shimbogedu, Diriko, Gciriku, Rugciriku.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Diriku (K.70)
More information.
Holu
[hol]
23,117 in Angola (2000 WCD). Population total all countries: 28,212. Kwango River area. Also spoken in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Alternate names: Kiholu, Holo, Kiholo.
Dialects: Holu, Yeci. Close to Samba. Yeci may be a separate language.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Holu (K.10)
More information.
Kongo, San Salvador
[kwy]
328,361 in Angola (2000 WCD). Northern Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo along the Congo River below Kinshasa.
Alternate names: Kikongo, Congo, Kisikongo, Kikoongo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
More information.
Koongo
[kng]
Northwestern corner.
Alternate names: Kongo, Kikongo, Kikoongo, Congo, Cabinda.
Dialects: South Kongo, South East Kongo, West Kongo (Fiote, Fioti), Ndingi, Mboka.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
More information.
Kung-Ekoka
[knw]
1,642 in Angola (2000 WCD). Primarily Namibia, Okavango, and Ovamboland Territory.
Alternate names: Ekoko-!Xû, !Kung, !Ku, !Xu, !Hu, Qxû.
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern
More information.
Kwangali
[kwn]
10,902 in Angola (2000 WCD). South central Angola.
Alternate names: Sikwangali, Rukwangali, Kwangari, Kwangare, Cuangar.
Dialects: Sambyu (Shisambyu, Sambiu, Sambio).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
More information.
Kwanyama
[kua]
421,000 in Angola (1993 Johnstone). South central Angola. Also spoken in Namibia.
Alternate names: Ochikwanyama, Oxikuanyama, Kuanyama, Kwanjama, Kwancama, Cuanhama, Ovambo, Humba.
Dialects: Intelligible with Ndonga and Kwambi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20)
More information.
Kxoe
[xuu]
788 in Angola (2000 WCD). Huthembo (Wuthembo), northeast of Likuwa, and Lukamba (Lukanga) west of Rivungu, southeast corner of Angola.
Alternate names: Kxoedam, Xun, Hukwe, !Hukwe, Xuhwe, Xu, Zama, Vazama, Cazama, "Mbarakwengo", "Mbarakwena", Glanda-Khwe, Black Bushman, Water Bushmen, Schekere.
Dialects: Buma-Kxoe.
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northwest
More information.
Laadi
[ldi]
Northwestern corner.
Alternate names: Lari, Ladi, Kilari.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
More information.
Luchazi
[lch]
155,000 in Angola (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Population total all countries: 209,400. Southeast, adjacent areas. Also spoken in Zambia.
Alternate names: Chiluchazi, Lujazi, Lujash, Lutshase, Luxage, Lucazi, Lutchaz, Ponda.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Luimbi
[lum]
43,869 (2000 WCD). Central, Cuanza River area.
Alternate names: Chiluimbi, Luimbe, Lwimbe, Lwimbi.
Dialects: Related to Nkangala and Mbwela.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Lunda
[lun]
178,000 in Angola (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Northeastern area.
Alternate names: Chilunda.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Salampasu-Ndembo (K.30)
More information.
Luvale
[lue]
464,000 in Angola (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Moxico, southeast provinces.
Alternate names: Luena, Lwena, Chiluvale, Lovale, Lubale.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Luyana
[lyn]
32,508 in Angola (2000 WCD). Southwestern, east of Moçamedes (Namibe).
Alternate names: Luyi, Louyi, Lui, Rouyi, Luana, Luano.
Dialects: Kwandi, Mbowe (Esimbowe), Mdundulu (Ndundulu, Imilangu), Mishulundu.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
More information.
Maligo
[mwj]
2,233 (2000 WCD).
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern
More information.
Mashi
[mho]
2,627 in Angola (2000 WCD).
Alternate names: Masi.
Dialects: North Kwandu, South Kwandu, Mashi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
More information.
Mbangala
[mxg]
22,329 (2000). North central, east of Luanda.
Alternate names: Cimbangala, Bangala.
Dialects: Mbangala, Yongo. Related to Yaka, Suku, Hungu, Sinji.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Yaka (H.30)
More information.
Mbukushu
[mhw]
4,000 in Angola (1997 Andersson and Janson). Southeastern corner, northern bank of the Okavango River.
Alternate names: Mbukushi, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Thimbukushu, Gova, Kuso, Cusso.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40)
More information.
Mbunda
[mck]
135,000 in Angola (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Southeastern Angola.
Alternate names: Chimbunda, Mbuunda.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Mbundu
[kmb]
3,000,000 (1999 WA). Population includes 41,000 Ngola (1977 Voegelin and Voegelin). Northwest, Luanda Province.
Alternate names: Luanda, Lunda, Loande, Loanda Mbundu, Kimbundu, Kimbundo, North Mbundu, Nbundu, N'bundo, Dongo, Ndongo, Kindongo.
Dialects: Njinga (Ginga, Jinga), Mbamba (Kimbamba, Bambeiro), Mbaka (Ambaquista), Ngola. Related to Songo, Sama, Bolo. Other related languages, dialects, ethnic, or alternate names: Amboim (Mbuiyi), Kibala (Quibala), Lengue (Quilengue), Ngage, Dembo of Cacuta Caenda, Ngengu, Bondo, Quembo, Mussende, Makamba (Macamba). Mbamba may be a separate language.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
More information.
Mbwela
[mfu]
222,000 (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Central, east of Benguela.
Alternate names: Mbwera, Shimbwera, Mbuela, Ambuella, Ambuela.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Ndombe
[ndq]
22,329 (2000 WCD). South and southeast of Benguela.
Alternate names: Dombe.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
More information.
Ndonga
[ndo]
262,689 in Angola (2000 WCD). Southeast corner, Ovamboland.
Alternate names: Oshindonga, Osidonga, Ambo, Ochindonga.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20)
More information.
Ngandyera
[nne]
13,134 (2000 WCD). Southeast corner.
Dialects: Related to Kwanyama, Ndonga, Kwambi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20)
More information.
Nkangala
[nkn]
22,269 (2000 WCD). Central, southeast of Mbwela.
Alternate names: Cangala, Ngangala.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Nkhumbi
[khu]
150,000 in Angola (1996 UBS). Southwestern, between Zemba, Luyana, Umbundu, Nyemba, and Nyaneka. Also spoken in Namibia.
Alternate names: Nkumbi, Khumbi, Humbe, Ngumbi, Otjingumbi.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
More information.
Nsongo
[nsx]
50,000 (1978 UBS). North central, Cuanza River area south of Malanje.
Alternate names: Songo, Sungu.
Dialects: Related to Mbundu, Sama, Bolo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
More information.
Nyaneka
[nyk]
300,000 (1996 UBS). Southwestern Angola.
Alternate names: Lunyaneka, Nhaneka, Nhaneca.
Dialects: Humbe, Mwila (Olumuila, Muila, Huila).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
More information.
Nyemba
[nba]
222,000 in Angola (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Population total all countries: 231,540. South central, Cuchi River area, southeast. Also spoken in Namibia, Zambia.
Alternate names: Ganguela, Ganguella, Ngangela, Nhemba, Gangela.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
Nyengo
[nye]
9,382 (2000 WCD). Southeast corner.
Alternate names: Nhengo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Chokwe-Luchazi (K.20)
More information.
!O!ung
[oun]
5,629 (2000 WCD). Southern border with Namibia, surrounded by Luchazi.
Alternate names: !O!kung.
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern
More information.
Portuguese
[por]
57,600 in Angola (1993).
Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
More information.
Ruund
[rnd]
98,508 in Angola (2000 WCD). Northeastern Angola.
Alternate names: Uruund, Northern Lunda, Luunda, Chilu Wunda, Muatiamvua.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Salampasu-Ndembo (K.30)
More information.
Sama
[smd]
24,191 (2000 WCD). Coastal, south of Luanda.
Alternate names: Kissama, Quissama.
Dialects: Related to Mbundu, Nsongo, Bolo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Mbundu (H.20)
More information.
Umbundu
[umb]
4,000,000 in Angola (1995 WA). Population total all countries: 4,002,880. West, Benguela District. Also spoken in Namibia.
Alternate names: Umbundo, M'bundo, Quimbundo, Ovimbundu, South Mbundu, Nano, Mbali, Mbari, Mbundu Benguella.
Dialects: Related to Nkhumbi, Ndombe, Nyaneka.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, South Mbundu (R.10)
More information.
Yaka
[yaf]
200,000 in Angola (2000 SIL). North central corner, east of the Kongo.
Alternate names: Kiyaka, Iaka, Iyaka, Iaca.
Dialects: Yaka, Ngoongo.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Yaka (H.30)
More information.
Yauma
[yax]
17,075 in Angola (2000 WCD). Southeast, Kwando (Cuando) River area. Also spoken in Zambia.
Classification: Unclassified
More information.
Yombe
[yom]
39,403 in Angola (2000 WCD). Cabinda.
Alternate names: Kiyombe, Kiombi, Iombe, Bayombe.
Dialects: Mbala (Mumbala), Vungunya (Kivungunya, Yombe Classique).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10)
More information.
Zemba
[dhm]
18,000 in Angola (1996 UBS). Population total all countries: 30,000. Southwest corner. Also spoken in Namibia.
Alternate names: Dhimba, Dimba, Otjidhimba, Himba, Tjimba, Simba, Chimba, Oluthimba.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.30)
More information.
Extinct languages
Kwadi
[kwz]
Extinct. Southwest corner, south of Moçamedes.
Alternate names: Cuepe, Cuanhoca, Curoca, Koroka, Bakoroka, Makoroko, Mucoroca.
Dialects: Zorotua (Vasorontu).
Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Kwadi
More information.
This web edition of the Ethnologue contains all the content of the print edition and may be cited as:Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/.
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