Bushong language

Last updated
Bushong
Bushoong
Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo
Region Kasai Province
Native speakers
160,000, incl. Shuwa (2000) [1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3 buf
Glottolog bush1247
C.83 [2]

Bushong is a Bantu language of the Kasai Province of Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was the language of the Kuba Kingdom.

Alternative names are Bushongo, Bushoong, Busoong, Shongo, Ganga, Kuba, Mbale, Bamongo, Mongo.

Dialects are said to be Djembe, Ngende, Ngombe (Ngombia), Ngongo, Pianga (Panga, Tsobwa, Shobwa, Shoba). Pianga (Shuwa) is a distinct language, in the Tetela group.

The Bushong have a patron–client relationship with the Kasai Twa.

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References

  1. Bushong at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. New Updated Guthrie List Online