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The Social and Political History of Southern Africa's Languages pp 31–49Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Bemba

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Abstract

Bemba (M42) (iciBemba) is the most widely spoken Bantu language in Zambia. Some 50 per cent of the population use it as either a first or second language. It is used in local courts, churches and as a medium of instruction in the first four grades of primary school in regions where it is the official regional language. The language is also used in both the official and private media, and because of the huge number of speakers, it is the most popular language in the entertainment industry. Native speakers of this language played a pivotal role in the independence struggle from British colonial rule. In post-independent Zambia, three of the six presidents who have ruled Zambia have come from the Bemba language group.

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    • Mpashi, S. (1955b). Uwauma nafyala ‘He who beats his mother- in-law’. Lusaka: Publications Bureau.

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    • Mpashi, S. (1956). Pano calo ‘Here on Earth’. Lusaka: Publications Bureau.

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    • Mpashi, S. (1968). Pio na Vera ‘Pio and Vera’. Lusaka: Oxford University Press (This seems to be a revised version of Uwakwensha ubushiku).

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    • Mpashi, S. (2008). Cekesoni aingila Ubusoja ‘Jackson joins the army’. Lusaka: Zambia Educational Publishing House.

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    • Mubanga, P. M. (1975). Musalu walipesamba ‘The relish that was at the bottom (gets to the top) or from rags to riches’. Lusaka: NECZAM.

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    • Mulenga, G. J. (1971). Mulenga ne misango yakwe ‘Mulenga and his manners’. Lusaka: NECZAM.

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    • Musonda, A. F. C. (2000). Imamba taifyala Mamba Mbiye ‘A Black Mamba does not beget another Black Mamba.’ Lusaka: Grand Designs.

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    • Musonda, A. F. C. (2002). Imisango ya kwa Shimaini ‘The behaviour of a miner’. Lusaka: Grand designs.

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    • Mutale, J. (1958). Uwaingile mu mushitu ‘He/she who enters a forest’. Lusaka: Publications Bureau Lusaka.

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    • Mwitwa, J. K. (1990). Ubukota Bufuma na Kunuma. Lusaka: Kenneth Kaunda Foundation (Zambia Educational Publishing House).

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    • Nkonde, I. B. (1966). Supuni Aleta imisoka ‘Supuni brings trouble’. Lusaka: Publications Bureau.

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    • Temba, D. (1957). Umupashi wa mwaice ‘The spirit of a child’. Lusaka. Publication Bureau.

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    Poetry

    • Chitula, M. (1989). Amalumbo ne Mishikakulo. ‘Praise poetry’. Lusaka. KKF.

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    • Kambole, R. M. (1980). Ukufunda Umwana kufikapo ‘Teaching a child requires thoroughness’. Lusaka: Zambia Educational Publishing House.

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    • Kambole, R. M. (1989). Amasuku yakutoolelwa Maapompo ‘Masuku fruits that are picked for one are (usually) unripe’. Lusaka: Kenneth Kaunda Foundation.

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    • Kapwepwe, S. M. (1970). Africa kuti twabelela uluse, tekuti tulabe ‘Africa we can forgive but not forget’. Lusaka: NECZAM (poetic history of slavery).

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    • Kapwepwe, S. M. (1991). Africa Twasebana ‘Africa we are disgraced’. Lusaka: KKF.

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    • Musapu, J., & Mpashi, S. (1962). Amalango ‘Poems’. Lusaka: Publications Bureau Lusaka.

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    Plays

    • The only published. full-length play in Bemba is an adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel below:

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    • Chishimba, M. (1977). Kancule na Lona ‘Kanchule and Lona’. Lusaka: Neczam.

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    Some Works in Translation

    • Culwick, A. T. (1948/1973). Hanahela. Lusaka: Neczam (originally published by United Society for Christian Lutherworth Press. Translated into Bemba by Tanguy, F.)

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    • Dugarde, L. P. (1964). Florence Nightingale, uwatampile ubuleshi mu fipatala. In Florence Nightingale who started nursing in hospitals. Lusaka: Publications Bureau.

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    • Kesta, M. (1964). Ukwibe cabu, ifya kwa Robin Hood ‘Stealing the ford, Robin Hood’. Lusaka: Publications Bureau.

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    Internet Resources

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    Author information

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Language and Social Sciences Education, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

      Joseph M. Mwansa

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    1. Joseph M. Mwansa
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    Editor information

    Editors and Affiliations

    1. School of History, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom

      Tomasz Kamusella

    2. University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

      Finex Ndhlovu

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    Mwansa, J.M. (2018). Bemba. In: Kamusella, T., Ndhlovu, F. (eds) The Social and Political History of Southern Africa's Languages. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-01593-8_3

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-01593-8_3

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    • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

    • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-01592-1

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