Lomwe language

The Lomwe language is a language primarily spoken in western Mozambique and south eastern Malawi spoken by the indigenous peoples.

Background

The Lomwe are one of the four largest ethnic groups living in Malawi and have history of migration in the Mozambique-Malawi border zone. Many Lomwe moved into Malawi in the 1930's due to tribal wars in Mozambique. 90-95% of the Lomwe live in rural areas. In Mozambique many are concentrated in Zambezia Province and in the Gurúè. The name Gurúè is said to be local tribal Lomwe dialect for "porco do mato" (peccary), or the name of a local tribal chief.

Language

The Lomwe language is written using the Roman alphabet and ther eis reported to be nine different dialects of Lomwe determined by location. The language is dying out, with only the eldest still speaking it as a main language, many of the younger Lomwe tribe nows speaks in the Chichewa language particularly those of Malawi since 1968 [ [http://cesa.imb.org/peoplegroups/lomwe.htm CESA] , Retrieved on June 14 2008] .

References