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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:New Perspectives on Eastern Bantu
Authors:Huffman, T.N.ISNI
Herbert, R.K.ISNI
Year:1994-1995
Periodical:Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa
Volume:29-30
Pages:27-36
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:Subsaharan Africa
Africa
Subjects:Bantu-speaking peoples
migration
Iron Age
language classification
Bantu languages
prehistory
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Anthropology and Archaeology
History, Archaeology
Language and languages
history
External link:https://doi.org/10.1080/00672709409511659
Abstract:Africanists have long been aware of the close correlation between Early Iron Age archaeological cultures and the Bantu language family. Nevertheless, specific correlations remain controversial. A combined anthropological and linguistic project tested the validity of the East/West classification of Bantu languages. The authors compared 'cultural profiles' (world view, social organization and settlement pattern) and grammatical elements (phonological, morphological and syntactic features) of several languages commonly classified as Eastern. Using Sotho-Tswana and Nguni as a datum for Eastern and Kongo and Chokwe for Western, they found that Chaga and Swahili conformed, but that Ila/Tonga, Bemba and Kamba/Kikuyu were not Eastern. Archaeological correlations suggest that the Early Iron Age Chifumbaze complex was produced by Eastern Bantu speakers, in contrast to the Naviundu/Madingo-Kayes tradition in Central Africa. The Late Iron Age Luangwa tradition represents the spread of 'Western' Bantu speakers into Central Africa which formed the 'matrilineal belt'. Kamba/Kikuyu speakers may have moved into East Africa as part of this spread. At about the same time, Nguni and Sotho-Tswana speakers moved out of East Africa where they lived during the Early Iron Age. Thus the authors show that the traditional dichotomy between Eastern and Western Bantu is no longer tenable. Bibliogr., sum.
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