Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | New Perspectives on Eastern Bantu |
Authors: | Huffman, T.N. Herbert, R.K. |
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. |