Kwangali language

Spoken in

  • Niger - Congo languages Volta - Congo languages Benue - Congo languages Bantu languages Rukwangali

-

Bnt

Kwn

Rukwangali (literally Kwangali language; Ru means language ) is the most widespread language of the Kavango.

Rukwangali is a Bantu language and is one of the Kavango languages ​​( RuKavango ). The language has about 180,000 speakers, nearly 90 % of the 200,000 inhabitants of the Kavango region in northeastern Namibia. Rukwangali is also closely related to Kwanyama.

Rukwangali is the mother tongue of two of the five tribes of the Kavango ( Kwangali and Mbunza ) and closely related to the languages ​​of the other three strains ( ShiShambyu, RuGciriku - these two are combined as Rumanyo - and Thimbukushu ). Rukwangali is most widespread lingua franca of the Kavango region and is also spoken in the northern border areas of Angola.

Rukwangali in Namibia is an officially recognized "national language " ( minority language ) and as such is promoted in primary schools as a teaching language and respected in the Official use of regional administrations.

History

Since Kavango was proselytized late, appeared the first part of a Bible translation in Rukwangali until 1960, with the priests of the Roman Catholic Church in Namibia gave out (including the Old Testament ) in 1974, the entire New Testament and 1987 the entire Bible. From 1973 to 1989 Rukwangali official language in Kavangoland and since Namibia's independence in 1990 Rukwangali is the national language with official translations of important, nationwide legal texts. It is also a cultural language of the kings of Kavango ( Hompa ).

According to the guidelines for education in Namibia is teaching instead of to the 3rd class for all students in their native language, with appropriate textbooks in Rukwangali ( prose, drama and poetry) as a written language ( For modern terms are often words from European languages ​​imported). In higher classes as a teaching language optional Rukwangali, English and Afrikaans offered, and in the course African Languages ​​at the University of Namibia can Rukwangali language and literature are assigned as study.

Rukwangali is maintained as a Traditional African music and in Rundu and the surrounding villages, there is a young Rukwangali music scene, as well as other Afro-pop sound systems on traditional music and elements based African-American music. The Namibian Broadcasting NBC transmits a daily radio program in Rukwangali.

Translation examples

Generally

Time and place

Colors and numbers

Verbs

Nouns

Direction

Source: kavango.info

Language family Languages of Africa Namibian Broadcasting Corporation German language in Namibia Khoekhoe language Lozi language
290800
de