Bembe language (Kibembe)

Not to be confused with Bembe language (Ibembe) or Bemba language.

Bembe (Kibembe or Kibeembe) is a Bantu language spoken primarily in the Republic of Congo. It is closely related to Kikongo and forms part of the Kongo language cluster.

Bembe
Kibembe / Kibeembe
Native to	Republic of Congo
Native speakers	Bembe: 100,000 Kambba: 1,500 Doondo: 30,000 (2007 census)
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Southern Bantoid Bantu (Zone H.10) Kongo Bembe
Dialects	Beembe Kamba-Doondo Hangala (Ghaangala)
Language codes
ISO 639-3	Variously: beq – Bembe xku – Kamba dde – Doondo
Glottolog	beem1239  Beembe kaam1238  Kaamba doon1238  Doondo
Guthrie code	H.11,111,112

It should not be confused with the Bembe language (Ibembe) spoken in Congo-Kinshasa and Tanzania.

Maho (2009) considers Beembe, Kamba-Doondo, and Gangala (or Hangala, Gaangala, Haangala) to be distinct languages.

Phonology

The language exhibits typical Bantu phonology, including a system of noun classes and verb conjugations. (Further details can be added as linguistic research becomes available.)

Grammar

Bembe follows the noun class system characteristic of Bantu languages. Verbs are marked for tense, aspect, and subject agreement.

External links

• The Noun Phrase in Kibembe (D54)
• Official website for Kibembe language resources