Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/mʊ̀jʊ́ngʊ̀

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

Alternative forms

• *mʊ̀cʊ̀ngʊ́
• *mʊ̀díʊ́ngʊ̀
• *mʊ̀dʊ̀ngʊ̀

Noun

*mʊ̀jʊ́ngʊ̀ class 1 (plural *bàjʊ́ngʊ̀ class 2)

1. (Common Bantu) white person

Usage notes

This term is shared between many Bantu languages, but a single form cannot be formally reconstructed to the level of Proto-Bantu because of historical or linguistic considerations.

Descendants

From *mʊ̀díʊ́ngʊ̀:

• Luban
  • Luba-Kasai (L31): muzungu
• Bemba (M42): musungu
• Northeastern Bantu:
  • Northeast Coast Bantu:
    • Mwani (G403): nzungu
    • Swahili (G42): mzungu
  • Thagiicu
    • Kikuyu (E51): muthungu
  • Great Lakes Bantu:
    • Luganda (J15): Omuzungu
    • Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): umuzungu
    • Gusii (J42): omosongo
    • Kabwa (J405): omujungu
  • Sukuma-Nyamwezi
    • Sumbwa (F23): muzungu
• Nyasa:
  • Chichewa (N31): mzungu
  • Tumbuka (N21): mzungu
• Sena (N44): muzungo
• Yao (P21): msungu

From *mʊ̀dʊ̀ngʊ̀:

• Shona (S10): muRungu
• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni:
    • Swazi (S43): umlungu
    • Xhosa (S41): umlungu
    • Zulu (S42): umlungu
  • Venda (S20): mulungu