The Rufiji–Ruvuma languages are a group of
Bantu languages
The Bantu languages (English: , Proto-Bantu language, Proto-Bantu: *bantʊ̀), or Ntu languages are a language family of about 600 languages of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern, East Africa, Eastern and Southeast Africa, South ...
established by Gloria Waite (1979) and subsequent researchers: N10 (less
Manda), P10 (Ngindo moved to N10), P20.
The languages, or clusters, along with their
Guthrie identifications are:
*Ruvuma (P20):
**
Yao–
Mwera
**Makonde:
Makonde–
Machinga,
Mabiha
*Mbinga
**Ruhuhu (N10):
Matengo,
Mpoto
**Matandu (P10):
Matumbi,
Ndengereko (Rufiji)
**Lwegu:
Ngindo (P10),
Ndendeule,
Ndwewe (N10)
*Songea (N10):
Ngoni
Among the Guthrie languages not specifically classified are
Nindi (N10, said to be close to Ndendeule); and
Tonga of Malawi (N10).
Nurse moves Manda to
Bena–Kinga, but Ehret keeps it here.
Notes
{{Bantu-lang-stub