Kimbu 'country', language and culture: an overview

This presentation aims at introducing the Kimbu (Bantu, Niger-Congo) language spoken across central Tanzania by loosely-associated communities totaling no more than 62,000 (Muzale and Rugemalira 2008).  The primary focus of this study is initial documentation of the Kimbu language with a special focus on its unique culture; nomadism. Although Kimbu community is described as semi-nomadic (Shorter, 1968) it is interesting that the today’s Kimbu speakers seem to have no idea of this life style of their own. The Kimbu speakers sub-classify their language into Kimbu-Lugogo spoken in Manyoni district (Singida), central Kimbu (they call it ‘not pure) spoken in Sikonge, Tabora and the so called ‘pure Kimbu’ spoken in Chunya district, Mbeya. The Kimbu language spoken in Sikonge is closely related to Nyamwezi.