Swahili is often recognized as a Bantu language, but what does that truly mean? Imagine a family of over 5,000 languages stretching across Sub-Saharan Africa, all connected by unique traits like intricate noun classes, agglutinative word structures, and a vibrant oral tradition. These features echo the rich tapestry of cultures and histories woven by Bantu-speaking peoples.
Across Bantu languages, the word for 'person' often takes the form mtu, umuntu, or mundu. If your language lacks a word resembling these, it is likely not a Bantu language.
The term 'Bantu' was first used by South African librarian Immanuel Wilhelm Hendricks Bleek in 1850. One common theory is that all Bantu peoples migrated from the Congo region, a view often taught in schools during colonial times. However, many Bantu peoples, particularly in Kenya, have oral histories that report that their ancestors came from Egypt. The history, migration, and diversity of Bantu languages and cultures remain the subject of ongoing research.
The languages
When two Bantu speakers meet, they might not fully understand each other, but familiar words often prompt recognition. Curiously, some languages spoken far from Swahili are actually its closer relatives. Take Kiholu, for instance, spoken between Congo and Angola on Africa’s west coast. Some researchers believe Kiholu is the oldest Bantu language because it has absorbed fewer foreign words. Yet, when you compare Kiholu and Kiswahili, you find many basic words in common, even though these languages have never directly mingled.
Kiholu Kiswahili English
Mingi mingi Many
Khaka Kaka brother
Dimi ulimi tongue
Moyo moyo heart
Kusimama Kusimama To stand
Musitu Msitu forest
Muti Mti Tree
Vungua Fungua open
Source:Lexiques 1999.
Here is a list of some similar Bantu words from different languages.
Language Elephant Meat Heart tongue
Kabras
inzofu inyama moyo lulimi
Swahili ndovu nyama moyo ulimi
Zulu indlovu inyama umoya ulimi
Shona nzou nyama mweya rurimi
Sesotho tlovu nama moea leeleme
Conclusion
No single study has unlocked all the mysteries of Bantu languages. As Africans reclaim and rewrite their history, exploring the roots and evolution of Bantu languages becomes essential. Governments should champion these efforts, encouraging universities and scholars across all fields to participate. The Bantu story shapes not only language but also the social, political, and cultural landscape of Africa itself.
References:
Bohannan, P. (1964). Africa and Africans. New York, NY: Waveland University Press.
Ehret, C. (2001). Re-envisioning a central problem of early African history. International Journal of African Historical Studies, 34(1), 5. doi:10.2307/3097285,
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3097285
