Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/kɪ̀bánjá

This Proto-Bantu entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Bantu

Noun

*kɪ̀bánjá class 7 (plural *bìbánjá class 8)

1. cleared land; plot of land for a house

Descendants

• Kongo (H16): mbanza
• Mongo (C61): loanja (“courtyard”)
• Luba-Kasai (L31): lubanza (“courtyard behind a house”)
• Northeastern Bantu:
  • Great Lakes Bantu:
    • Haya (J22): ekibanja (“field and its premises”)
    • Luganda (J15): ekibanja (“plot”), ebbanja (“debt”)
    • Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): ikibanza (“building site”)
    • Sumbwa (F23): lubanza (“trial, tribunal”)
  • Bemba (M42): ulubansa (“courtyard”)
  • Ila (M63): lubanza (“open space”)
• Nyanja:
  • Chichewa (N31): banja (“family”)
  • Tumbuka (N21): banja (“family”)
• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni:
    • Swazi (S43): libandla (“council”)
    • Xhosa (S41): ibandla (“assembly place, congregation”)
    • Zulu (S42): ibandla (“assembly place, congregation”)

References

• Grégoire, Claire (1976), "Le champ sémantique du thème bantu *-bánjá." African Languages/Langues Africaines 2: 1–12.