Mwanga language


Mwanga, or Namwanga, is a Bantu language spoken by the Mwanga people in the Muchinga Province of Zambia and in Mbeya Region, Tanzania. The 2010 Zambian census found 140,000 speakers. The current number in Tanzania is unknown; Ethnologue cites a figure from 1987 of 87,000.
There are also some speakers of Namwanga in the north-west part of Chitipa District in northern Malawi.
The Namwanga language is similar to the Mambwe language spoken by the Mambwe people of Mbala and Mpulungu districts and the Lungu people also found in Isoka. Other similar smaller peoples include the Lambyas, the Nyikas and the Wandyas.

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

Among the Namwanga, the first 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 not chosen at random but 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.Na-: A prefix added to the root name to denote a female.
Some Namwanga surnames do not follow this prefix rule but are inherently understood within the community as referring to the same family.
Male SurnameFemale Surname
SiameNakamba
SichoneNamonje
SikombeNakaponda
SilwizyaNakalumbi
SikalangweNachona

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 nameGenderSocio-semantic themeMeaning
AlinaniMaleHe is with Me
AlinasweFemaleHe is with Us
AlinjavwaHe wIll Help
AlinjitaHe will call me
AlinjvwaHe wIll Hear me
ChamundaSichilongo Clan Name
Changala
ChikulamayembeCarrier of Hoes
ChilolwaSichilongo Clan Name
Chilumba
Chiluwa
Chimwemwe
ChinvyaVictory
ChinyanyaliNames Expressing ComplaintDirt
Chipando
Chipansya
ChipwelileLazyness
Chiwanza
ChiwutweNames Expressing OwnershipOwner
ChizengoNames Expressing UnityBuild or Unite
Chuswa
ChuusaSichilongo Clan Name
ImbanjiSuffering
IzukanjiMemory
KachingaMaleProtector
KafwatulaSichilongo Clan Name
KafwimbiNames Expressing the Ability to FightConquerer
Kamyalile
Kangafwe
KapewaSimwawa Clan Name
KasempaSimwawa Clan Name
KatwamakondoSimwawa Clan Name
Kongonsyanji
KundananjiLove One Another
KusechelaRejoycing
KuzipaBeautiful
LandanjiNames that Reflect GossipingKeep on Talking
LavyaSaviour
LenganjiAsking God
LeukanjiReflect
LolelanjiSomething to look up too
LukundoLove
LumbulanjiCalm Down
Lumvya
LuswepoLight
Luwala
Luwito
MaimboNames Expressing ComplaintProblems
MandaDays
MatulaNames that Reflect CharacterDestroyer
Matumbe
MbepaNames that Reflect GossipingLie
MelezyoTemptations
MengwaNames Expressing UnityPeace
MpaziSpirit
Mpoli
Mtinde
Muchindikeni
MuchingaSichilongo Clan Name
MuchinziNames Expressing CareRespect
Mukatakulima
Mukombe
MukomanjiKill
Mukundwe
MukalakataSimwawa Clan Name
Mulotwa
Mulwanda
Musanya
MusekanjiNames Expressing ComplaintKeep on Laughing at Him or Her
MusengaSpecial NamesBorn After a Dead Brother
MusiyaniLeave him
MutukanjiNames Expressing ComplaintKeep on Laughing at Him or Her
Mukukwanji
Muvwambe
Muvwanjilanji
Muwemba
Mwaka
Mwezi
Mwiche
MwinjiSiame Clan NameAbundance
Mwivwilanji
Mwiza
Mwizukanji
Myalalanji
NamonjeQueen
Namposya
Namwinga
NataizyaThank You
NasalifyaThank You
Nchindika
NdanjiWelcome
NdinaweI am with You
Ndipo
NdolanjiNames Expressing CareKeep on Seeing Me
NdosilweBlessing
NgaoSiame Clan Name
NizaI Have Come
NjavwaHelp
NkambakuThe Alpha Male Bull
NkumbuGrace
Nkusechela
NkusuwilaUnisexTrust in God
Nkuwanga
Ntakasi
Ntamanyile
Ntamuwosya
Ntapalila
Ntapechela
Ntasuwile
Ntawandulwa
NtiwililaI Will Not Froget
NzalaHunger
PawiSpecial NamesBorn when there was a Funeral for a Family Member
PepanjiKeep on Praying
Pupuzyanji
SalifyanjiNames Expressing CareKeep on Thanking
SankananjiHapiness
Sechelanji
Sekanji
Simawe
SungananjiKeep Each Other
Sunganji
SuwilanjiUnisexFaith
Suwilo
Swensi
TamikanjiTrouble
Tasula
Temwananji
Temwani
TengaweziBring Together
TepwanjiBe Calm
TepechelaNames that Reflect CharacterCareless
TetelanjiUnisexForgive
Tukuya
Tupilwa
Tusankine
Twapelwa
TwizaWe Have Come
Ulanda
Vilezu
Vwambanji
VwanganjiNames that Reflect GossipingKeep on Talking
Wachinvwa
WalukundoGod is Love
WaimbilaNames Expressing ComplaintSuffering
WanjavwaYou Have Helped Me
WanjavwaYou Have Heard Me
WankumbuMercy
WankundaYou Love Me
Wantula
WapetwaNames that Express HatredYou are Hated
WampaGod has Given Me
WamusulaDisrespect
WamusuwilaTrust
WantotaTired
WatupaUnisex
Wayimanyila
WinganjiNames that Express HatredKeep on Chasing Him or Her
WizaUnisexHe or She has Come
Wuzyanji
Yimbanji
YivwananjiNames Expressing UnityKeep on Understanding Each Other
Yowani
ZanjiCome
Zevyanji
ZewelanjiRejoyce
Ziukanji
ZontoNames that Reflect GossipingTalking anyhow

Favourite foods

  • Beans and Okra commonly known as Kumbi
  • Cassava
  • Millet