Bemba

[ bem-buh ]

noun

, plural Bem·bas, (especially collectively) Bem·ba.

1. a member of a numerous agricultural people of Zambia.
2. the Bantu language spoken by the Bemba, widely used as a lingua franca in Zambia.

Bemba

/ ˈbɛmbə /

noun

1. -ba-bas a member of a Negroid people of Africa, living chiefly in Zambia on a high infertile plateau
2. the language of this people, belonging to the Bantu group of the Niger-Congo family

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bemba¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

During that visit Ms Kaumba had not worn all her carefully curated outfits, so she asked her grandmother - or "Mbuya" in the Bemba language - if she wanted to try them on.

From BBC

She joined BJ on stage towards the end of the three-hour concert on Sunday, with other tearful family members, to sing Matthew’s classic Umutima Wandi - a praise song in the Bemba language, thanking God for life’s blessings.

From BBC

“Bailar” is a celebration of the genre — and a new chapter in Sheila E.’s rich musical history, beginning with a reimagination of “Bemba Colorá,” originally performed by Celia Cruz, now featuring Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar and, of course, a drum solo.

From Seattle Times

On Sunday, a congress of the Sacred Union coalition that includes political heavyweights such as Defence Minister Jean Pierre Bemba and Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe, picked Tshisekedi unanimously.

From Reuters

“Stop the Rot,” sung in Bemba, criticizes those who still practice witchcraft in Zambia.

From New York Times