2,191,000 (1995). Republic of Namibia. Formerly South West Africa. Literacy rate: 16% (1989 WA). Also includes German 20,000, small groups of Kgalagadi, Nyemba. Information mainly from Voegelin and Voegelin 1977; Ruhlen 1987; Weiss 1990; South West Africa Survey 1967. Data accuracy estimate: B. Christian, traditional religion, secular. Blind population 1,400 (1982 WCE). The number of languages listed for Namibia is 28.
AFRIKAANS [AFK] 146,000 in Namibia (1993 Johnstone); 6,365,000 in all countries or more. Also in South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana. Indo-European, Germanic, West, Continental, Low, Dutch. The only language spoken and understood by everyone. It formerly had official status. Bible 1933-1983. NT 1941-1980. Bible portions 1893-1907.
'AKHOE (//AUKWE, AUEN, //AU//EN, //AU//EI~, /AU-//EN, //KAU-//-EN, KAUKAU, //K"AU-//EN, KOKO// //AU-KWE, /AUKWE) [AKE] 5,000 in all countries (1985 UBS). Ovamboland Territory, north, Ekoka. Also in Angola. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern. May be the same as Ekoka Kung. Bible portions 1975-1980.
DIRIKU (DIRIKO, GCIRIKU, RUGCIRIKU, MBOGEDO, MBOGEDU, SHIMBOGEDU) [DIU] 20,000 in all countries (1989 UBS). Also in Angola. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Diriku (K.70). NT 1988. Bible portions 1979-1985.
ENGLISH [ENG] 100,000 in Namibia; 470,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Indo-European, Germanic, West, North Sea, English. Not understood or spoken by everyone. National language. Bible 1535-1989. NT 1525-1985. Bible portions 1530-1987.
FWE [FWE] 9,936 (1960 census); the largest language of East Caprivi, about 50%. East Caprivi. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subia (L.50). Close to Subia. Not the same as the We dialect of Tonga [TOI]. Survey needed.
HAI//OM ("SAN", "SAAN") [HGM] 16,000 or fewer (1995 A. Miller-Ockhuizen). Few in South Africa (1995). Mangetti Dune, Omataku, Grootfontein, Baghani, Tsintsabis. 'Maroelaboom' is the area of Namibia next to the Agricultural gate entering the former Bushmanland. Some moved to Kimberley, South Africa. Possibly in Angola, where they are reported to have come from. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Hain//um. Dialects: KEDI (KEDDE, KEDDI), CHWAGGA, HAIN//UM (HEI//OM, HEIKOM, HEIKUM, HEIKOM BUSHMAN). Somewhat intelligible with Kung-Tsumkwe (Ju/'hoan), but a different language. The language is used by all members of the ethnic group. They speak Afrikaans, English, Damara, or Kwangali as second languages. Afrikaans is more widely known than English, but English is now learned in school instead of Afrikaans. Used for inter-language contact. Many men speak Afrikaans well. Many who live near the Damara or Kwangali speak those languages well or at least understand them. "San" is a derogatory Nama name for all bushmen. Low literacy rate in Afrikaans. Hunter-gatherers. Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
HERERO (OCHIHERERO, DAMARA) [HER] 141,000 in Namibia (1993 Johnstone); 18,000 in Botswana (1993 Johnstone); 159,000 in all countries. Damaraland and northwest Ovamboland territory, Kaokoveld. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.30). Dialect: MBANDIERU. Erroneously called 'Damara'. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible 1987. NT 1878-1912. Bible portions 1875-1912.
KUNG-EKOKA (EKOKA-!XÛ, KUNG, !KUNG, !KU~, !XU~, !HU~, QXÛ, !XUN, !KHUNG) [KNW] 5,000 in all countries (1985 UBS). Okavango and Ovamboland Territory. Also Angola. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern. May be the same as Akhoe. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible portions 1980.
KUNG-GOBABIS (//AU//EI, //X'AU//'E, =KX'AU//'EI, //X'AU//'E, AUEN, KAUKAU, KOKO) [AUE] 5,000 (1993 UBS). Ovamboland Territory, Ekoka. Also in Botswana. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern. Dialect: NOGAU. The people call themselves '=kxau//'ei'. Traditional religion, Christian. Work in progress.
KUNG-TSUMKWE (XÛ, XUN, KUNG, !XO, JU/'HOAN, JU'OASI, ZHU'OASI, DZU'OASI, TSHUMKWE) [KTZ] (4,000 to 8,000 in Botswana; 1995 LBT). Northeast. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern. Dialects: DZU'OASI (SSU GHASSI, ZHU'OASE), NOGAU (AGAU). Speakers use the name 'Ju/'hoan' for themselves. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible portions 1974.
KWAMBI [KWM] 30,000 (1972 Nida). Ovamboland north. Possibly also in Angola. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20). NT 1951.
KWANGALI (SIKWANGALI, RUKWANGALI, KWANGARI, KWANGARE) [KWN] 31,000 in all countries (1989 UBS). Also Angola. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40). Dialect: SAMBYU (SHISAMBYU, SAMBIU, SAMBIO). Bible 1987. NT 1974. Bible portions 1960.
KWANYAMA (OCHIKWANYAMA, KUANYAMA, OVAMBO, HUMBA, KWANJAMA, KWANCAMA, OTJIWAMBO, OWAMBO) [KUY] (421,000 in Angola; 1993 Johnstone). Northern Okavangoland. Also Angola (primarily). Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20). Officially recognized language. Intelligible with Ndonga and Kwambi. Called 'Otjiwambo' and 'Owambo' together with Ndonga. 50% are literate. Braille Bible portions. Bible 1974. NT 1927. Bible portions 1894-1960.
LOZI (SILOZI, ROZI, TOZVI, ROTSE, RUTSE, KOLOLO) [LOZ] 557,000 in all countries; 473,000 in Zambia (1993 Johnstone); 70,000 in Zimbabwe (1982); 14,000 in Botswana (1993 Johnstone). East Caprivi Strip. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30). Spoken as lingua franca by all East Caprivians. Trade language. Bible 1951-1987. NT 1925-1939. Bible portions 1922-1957.
MASHI (MASI) [MHO] A few in Namibia; 20,795 in Zambia (1969 census). East Caprivi. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40). Dialects: NORTH KWANDU, SOUTH KWANDU, MASHI. Nomadic. Different from Mashi (Shi) which is related to Havu of Zaïre. Dialect cluster. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
MBALANHU [LNB] Northern. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R. Survey needed.
MBUKUSHU (MBUKUSHI, MAMBUKUSH, MAMPUKUSH, MBUKUHU, THIMBUKUSHU, GOVA, KUSSO) [MHW] A few in Namibia; 12,000 in Botswana (1995 LBT); 6,000 in Angola (1972); 20,000 in all countries (1991 UBS). Northwest Ovambo and northeast Okavango area, Andara. Also in Zambia. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40). Close to Kwangali, but separate. Traditional religion, Christian. NT 1986. Bible portions 1976-1986.
NAMA (NAMAN, NAMAKWA, NAMAQUA, DAMA, DAMARA, DAMAQUA, TAMA, TAMMA, TAMAKWA, BERDAMA, BERGDAMARA, KAKUYA BUSHMAN NASIE, ROOI NASIE, HOTTENTOT, "KLIPKAFFER", "KLIPKAFFERN", "KHOEKHOEGOWAP") [NAQ] 90,000 in Namibia (1993 Johnstone); 200 to 1,000 in Botswana (995 LBT); 146,000 in all countries (1989 UBS). South central, Great Namaland. Also in South Africa. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Nama. Offered as a school subject. Can be taken up to doctoral level at U. of Namibia. Typology: SOV. Bible 1966. NT 1866-1909. Bible portions 1831-1984.
NAMIBIAN SIGN LANGUAGE [NBS] Deaf sign language. Dictionary. Survey needed.
NDONGA (OCHINDONGA, OSHINDONGA, OSINDONGA, OTJIWAMBO, OWAMBO, AMBO) [NDG] 240,000 in all countries (1987 UBS). Ovamboland. Some in southern Angola. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Ndonga (R.20). Dialect: NGANDYERA. Highly acculturated. 75% literate. Ngandyera may be a separate language. Partially intelligible with Kwanyama. Called 'Otjiwambo' and 'Owambo' together with the Kwanyama. Christian, traditional religion. Bible 1954-1986. NT 1903-1925. Bible portions 1891-1944.
SUBIA (ECHISUBIA, SUBIYA, SUPIA, CHIKWAHANE, CHIIKUHANE) [SBS] 5,904 in Namibia, 37% of population in East Caprivi (1960 census); 12,000 in Botswana (1993 Johnstone); 5,500 in Zambia (1969 census); 23,400 in all countries. East Caprivi. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subia (L.50). Their name for their language is 'Chikwahane'. 'Subia' is the Tswana name. Tonga is probably a separate language. Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
TOTELA (ECHITOTELA) [TTL] A few in Namibia; 14,000 in all countries (1971 Welmers). East Caprivi. Also in Zambia. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subia (K.50). Survey needed.
TSWANA [TSW] 11,300 in Namibia; 3,932,000 in all countries. Also in Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Tswana. Bible 1857-1993. NT 1840-1994. Bible portions 1830-1966.
VASEKELA BUSHMAN [VAJ] Western Caprivi area. Also in Angola and South Africa. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern. Large numbers migrated to Namibia and South Africa because of the war in Angola.
!XOO [NMN] 50 in Namibia (1995); 3,000 to 4,000 in Botswana (1995 LBT); 3,000 to 4,000 in all countries (1995). Along east central Botswana border. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Southern, Hua. Dialects: AUNI (/AUNI, /AUO), KAKIA (MASARWA), KI/HAZI, NG/U/EN (NU//EN, /U//E~IN, NG/U/EI, /NU//EN, //U//EN), NUSAN (NG/USAN, NU-SAN, NOOSAN, NG/USAN), XATIA (KATIA, KHATIA, KATTEA, VAALPENS, /KUSI, /EIKUSI), !KWI.
XUN (HUKWE, !HUKWE, XU~KHWE, XU~, KXOE, KWENGO, VAKWENGO, ZAMA, VAZAMA, MBARA KWENGO, MBARAKWENA, KHWE, GLANDA-KHWE, BLACK BUSHMAN, WATER BUSHMEN, SCHEKERE) [XUU] 2,000 in Namibia; 9,000 in Angola (1972 Barrett); 11,000 or more in all countries. West Caprivi, Okavango in Namibia. Also in Botswana. Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northwest. Traditional religion, Christian.
YEYE (SEYEYI, SEYEI, YEI, YEEI, YEYI, CIYEI, KOBA, KUBA) [YEY] A few in Namibia; 20,000 in Botswana (1995 L.N. Ramahobo). East Caprivi. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Yeye (R.40).
ZEMBA (DHIMBA, OTJIDHIMBA, HIMBA, TJIMBA, SIMBA, CIMBA) [DHM] (100,000 in Angola; 1993 Johnstone). Near Herero. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.30). Bible portions 1970-1984.
Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.
Copyright © 1996, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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