Luba | |
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Kiluba | |
Native to | Democratic Republic of Congo |
Region | Katanga Province |
Native speakers
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(1.5 million cited 1991) |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-1 | lu |
ISO 639-2 |
|
ISO 639-3 |
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Glottolog | luba1250 |
L.33 |
Luba-Katanga, also known as Luba-Shaba and Kiluba, is one of the two major Bantu languages spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo called Luba, the other being Luba-Kasai. It is spoken mostly in the south-east area of the country by the Luba people.
Kiluba is spoken in the area around Kabongo, Kamina, Luena, Lubudi, Malemba Nkulu, Mulongo, Manono and Kaniama, mostly in Katanga. Some 500 years ago or more, the Luba Kasai left Katanga and settled in the Kasai; since then, the Luba Kasai (Chiluba) language has evolved until it is no longer mutually intelligible with Luba Katanga.