Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/nkókó

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

• *nkʊ́kʊ́

Etymology

Probably onomatopoeia, with a high amount of variation in forms. Cognates farther afield in Benue-Congo include Akan akokɔ and Proto-Edoid *O-khɔkhɔ

Verb

*nkókó class 9 (plural *nkókó class 10)

1. (Common Bantu) chicken, fowl

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. Chickens were introduced after Proto-Bantu, so this form is the result of ancient borrowing across Bantu.

Descendants

From *nkókó:

• Great Lakes Bantu:
  • Luganda (J15): enkoko
  • Nyankole (J13): enkóko
  • Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): inkoko
  • Haya (J22): enkôko
  • Nande (J42): éngoko
  • Jita (J25): inkóko
• Mongo (C61): kókó
• Kitembo (J531): ńgoko

From *nkʊ́kʊ́:

• Nyasa:
  • Chichewa (N31): nkhuku
  • Tumbuka (N21): nkhuku

• Northeastern Bantu:
  • Northeast Coast Bantu:
    • Swahili (G42): kuku
    • Ngazidja Comorian (G44a): nkuhu
  • Thagiicu:
    • Kikuyu (E51): ngũkũ
    • Kamba (E55): nguku

• Shona (S10): huku
• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni:
    • Northern Ndebele (S44): inkukhu
    • Xhosa (S41): inkukhu
    • Zulu (S42): inkukhu
  • Sotho-Tswana:
    • Northern Sotho (S32): kgogo
    • Sotho (S33): kgoho
    • Tswana (S31): kgogo
  • Venda (S20): khuhu