Lunda

Lunda, also known as Chilunda, is a Bantu language spoken in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. It is closely related to Luba-Katanga and is sometimes considered a dialect of that language. Lunda has about 2 million speakers. Lunda is a tonal language, with two basic tones, high and low. It has a complex system of noun classes and verb tenses. Lunda is an oral language, with no written tradition. It is used mostly in the home and in the community. It is not used in formal education or in the media. Lunda has been influenced by Portuguese, the language of Angola's former colonial power. Many Lunda words are of Portuguese origin, such as 'trabalho' (work) and 'escola' (school). Lunda is a vibrant language, with a rich oral tradition. It is the language of storytelling, music and poetry. It is also the language of daily life, used in the home and in the community.