Zemba language

Zemba (Dhimba) is a Bantu language spoken mainly in Angola where the language has about 18,000 speakers, and also in Namibia with some 4,000.[4] It is closely related to Herero, and is often considered a dialect of that language, especially as the Zemba are ethnically Herero.

Not to be confused with Zimba language or Zumba.
Zemba
Dhimba
Native toAngola, Namibia
EthnicityHerero, Tjimba
Native speakers
30,000 (2009–2011)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3dhm
Glottologzemb1238
R.311[2]
ELPHimba[3]

There are various spellings and pronunciations of the name: Zimba, Dhimba, Tjimba, Chimba, etc. However, when spelled Tjimba or Chimba in English, it generally refers to the Tjimba people, non-Herero hunter-gatherers who speak Zemba. The spelling Himba should be distinguished from the Himba people and their dialect of Herero.

Ethnologue separates Zemba as a distinct language from Himba, which according to the language map of Namibia it retains under Herero proper.[5] Maho (2009), however, sets up a Northwest Herero language, which includes Zemba; from the map, it would appear to include Himba and Hakaona as well.[2]

References
  1. Zemba at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)
  2. Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. New Updated Guthrie List Online
  3. Endangered Languages Project data for Himba.
  4. Zemba language at Ethnologue (16th ed., 2009)
  5. Zemba at Ethnologue (16th ed., 2009)


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