Kuhane language

Kuhane
Chikuhane / Chisubia
Native to	Namibia 34,000 Botswana 7,900 Zambia 2,900
Ethnicity	Baikuhane / Basubia
Native speakers	45,000
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Southern Bantoid Bantu Botatwe Subia Kuhane
Language codes
ISO 639-3	sbs
Glottolog	subi1246
Guthrie code	K.42 (K.401)
ELP	Subiya

Person	Muikuhane
People	Baikuhane
Language	Chikuhane

A Subiya, or Kuhane, speaker speaking the language with an English introduction, recorded in Namibia.

The Ikuhane language is a Bantu language spoken in Southern Africa. It is also known as Subia and spoken by the Ikuhane people in Namibia, Botswana & Zambia.

Silozi is used as the formal language in official, educational, and media contexts.

History

The language is called Chikuhane and it gets its name from the second known Subia King, Ikuhane, who reigned from 1575 – 1600. Under his leadership, the people migrated southwards and settled along the Cuando River which is also named the Ikuhane River in his honour. A single Ikuhane person is referred to as Muikuhane while many Ikuhane people are referred to as Baikuhane. The prefix Mu- is singular and the prefix Ba- is plural.

However, Baikuhane are popularly known today as the Subia people. The exonym Subia came from neighbouring people and it is derived from the word ‘subila’ which means light in reference to their light skin complexion. A single Subia person is referred to as Musubia while many Subia people are referred to as Basubia or Masubia. The language is called Chisubia.

Subia text

Chisubia: Kakuli Ileza ava saki ahulu inkanda, mane avahi Mwanakwe yenke, ili kuti yense yo zumina Kwakwe keta afwe kono kave nivuhalo vusamani. Johani 3:16

English: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16