Makhuwa languages

For the Timorese language Makua, see Makuv'a language.

Makhuwa
Makua
Geographic distribution:	Central Africa, mostly Mozambique
Linguistic classification:	Niger–Congo Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Bantu Southern Bantu Makhuwa
Subdivisions:	Nuclear Makua Koti, Sakati Lomwe Cuabo–Maindo Moniga

The Makhuwa or Makua languages are a branch of Bantu languages spoken primarily in Mozambique.

Name

The name Makua (Macua), more accurately Makhuwa, is used on three levels. Some sources distinguish these with differences in spelling 'Makua' vs. 'Makhuwa', but they are not consistent.

1. The Makhuwa language itself, the national language of Mozambique
2. Its closest relatives, which also go by the name Makhuwa; sometimes called 'core' or 'nuclear' Makua, but this is not consistent
3. Closely related languages which have their own names, such as Lomwe (also known as Western Makua)

Classification

Makhuwa is assigned to Zone P of the Guthrie classification of Bantu languages. With the classification of the other Zone-P languages as Rufiji–Ruvuma, Makhuwa is essentially synonymous with Zone P. However, the zones are geographic rather than genealogical clades. The closest relatives of the Makhuwa branch are not clear, but some classifications place them with the Nyasa and Southern Bantu languages.

Languages

• Core Makhuwa: Makhuwa proper, Makhuwa-Meetto, Makhuwa-Shirima
• Koti
• Sakati
• Lomwe
• Cuabo and Maindo
• Moniga