The 250 or so "Narrow Bantu languages" are conventionally divided up into geographic zones first proposed by Malcolm Guthrie (1967–1971). These were assigned letters A–S and divided into decades (groups A10, A20, etc.); individual languages were assigned unit numbers (A11, A12, etc.), and dialects further subdivided (A11a, A11b, etc.). This coding system has become the standard for identifying Bantu languages; it was a practical way to distinguish many ambiguously named languages before the introduction of ISO 639-3 coding, and it continues to be widely used. Only Guthrie's Zone S is (sometimes) considered to be a genealogical group. Since Guthrie's time a Zone J (made of languages formerly classified in groups D and E) has been set up as another possible genealogical group bordering the Great Lakes.
The list is first summarized, with links to articles on accepted groups of Bantu languages (bold decade headings). Following that is the complete 1948 list, as updated by Guthrie in 1971 and by J. F. Maho in 2009.
Summary The list below reflects Guthrie as updated by Maho (2009). Not included in detail are the Northeast Bantu languages characterized by Dahl's Law, which is thought to be a genealogical group, cuts across the Guthrie system, and is covered at Northeast Bantu. Other groups with dedicated articles, such as Southern Bantu (Zone S) are also only summarized here, so that the initial listing is only a summary and an index for other articles.
Maho (2009) added languages to the Guthrie classification which Guthrie overlooked and shifted many of the languages of zones D and E to the new zone J proposed by Tervuren scholars; his amended version of the Guthrie linguistic has since replaced the original Guthrie list in use among Bantu scholars
Bantu has long been divided into Northwest Bantu (Forest Bantu) and Central Bantu (Savanna Bantu) branches based upon tone patterns, but there is little agreement as to which Guthrie zones (or which parts of zones) should be in either, the dichotomy is dubious, and they have not been followed here.
Accepted genealogical groups within the Guthrie zones are boldfaced.
Zone A S Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, N Gabon A10 Lundu–Balong : Oroko, Bonkeng, Nkongho, Bafaw-Balong, Manenguba (Ngoe) languages A20–30 Sawabantu languages; Bube (in Mbam?) A40a (reduced) Basaa languages A50 Bafia languages A60+40b Mbam languages A70 Beti language A80–90 Makaa–Njem languages
Zone A is sometimes considered Forest Bantu.
Part of Guthrie's A40 and A60 groups are regarded as Mbam languages. Sawabantu may include some of the A10 languages apart from Manenguba, whereas Bube may belong in Mbam.
A number of scholars have proposed linking Southern Bantoid Jarawan with the Mbam sub-group (Gerhardt 1982; Blench ms 2006, 2011); this proposal remains controversial and is opposed by Green and Grollemund (2026).
According to several scholars, including Blench, there can be no coherent concept of Bantu as long as many of the Zone A and perhaps Zone B languages are included.
Zone B S Gabon, W Congo, W DR-Congo B20 Kele languages (?Seki) B10–30 Tsogo languages (?Myene) B40 (with some H10) Sira languages B50 Nzebi languages B60 Mbete languages B70 (with some B80) Teke languages B80 (reduced) Boma–Dzing languages (Tsong/Songo?)
Zone B is sometimes considered Forest Bantu.
B10–30 may belong together as Kele–Tsogo, B40 with Kongo–Yaka (H), and B50–70 with H24 Songo as Teke–Mbede.
Zone C NW DR-Congo, N Congo C10 (with some C30) Ngondi–Ngiri languages C20 Mboshi languages C30 (with Mongo, etc) Bangi–Ntomba languages (Lingala et al.) C37+41 Buja–Ngombe languages C42 Bwela C40a Bati–Angba languages (Bwa) C50–60 Soko languages C70 Tetela languages C80 Bushoong languages
Zone C is sometimes considered Forest Bantu, sometimes Savanna Bantu.
There are proposals for three larger clades, Mboshi–Buja covering C10–20 and C37+41, and Bangi–Tetela covering C30 with C50–80 (Motingea 1996), and C40a together with D20–30 in Boan.
Zone D NE DR-Congo D10 Mbole–Enya languages (?Lengola) D20a Lega–Binja languages D20–30 Komo–Bira languages, (with C40a) Boan D28 Holoholo (perhaps in NE Bantu) D30 (unclassified): Guru (Boguru), Ngbinda, Kare (Kari), Nyanga-li (Gbati-ri) D33 Nyali languages (Beeke? Ngbee?, +Bodo?) D43–55 Nyanga–Buyi languages D54 Bembe (with Lega?)
D10, D30, and some of D20 and D40 are sometimes considered Forest Bantu, the others Savanna Bantu.
Most of D40–60 has been moved to Great Lakes Bantu languages. Lengola, Bodo, and Nyali may belong together as Lebonya, and Beeke in Boan.
Zone E Kenya, apart from Swahili
The languages of Zone E have been reassigned: E10–E40 to Great Lakes Bantu languages; E50 Kikuyu–Kamba (Central Kenya Bantu) and E60 Chaga–Taita to Northeast Bantu; E70 Nyika to Northeast Bantu, mostly in Sabaki.
Zone F W & C Tanzania.
F10 Tongwe-Bende F30 (reduced) Mbugwe–Rangi languages ?Isanzu Much of F20 and F30, including the major language Sukuma, have been reclassified as Northeast Bantu, with Bungu to Rukwa and Sumbwa as Great Lakes. Mbugwe–Rangi, however, form a valid node by themselves.
Isanzu is sometimes classified as F30, as a variety of Nilamba, and sometimes thought to be a remnant of the Bantu languages spoken in the area before F-zone languages arrived.
Zone G E Tanzania, Comoros G50 (with Mbunga) Kilombero The languages of Zone G have been reclassified, G60 Bene–Kinga to Northeast Bantu, and the other branches more specifically to Northeast Coast Bantu languages.
Zone H NW Angola, W Congo
H10 (reduced) Kongo languages H20 Kimbundu languages (?Songo) H30–40 (with Yanzi) Yaka languages
H10 and H40 are sometimes considered Forest Bantu, the others Savanna Bantu.
H10 Kunyi, Suundi, and Vili have been split between B40 and L10. H40 is split between H30 and L10.
Kongo–Yaka may form a family, perhaps with B40 Sira.
Zone J Uganda, Rwanda–Burundi, near lakes Kivu & Victoria
J Great Lakes (part of Northeast Bantu)
Zone K E Angola, W Zambia
K10 Chokwe–Luchazi languages K31 Luyana K30 Kavango languages? K43 Mbukushu
K20 Lozi is now classified as Southern Bantu, specifically Sotho-Tswana. Some K30 languages have been reclassified as Kavango, but Luyana is an independent lineage. K40 Subiya–Totela has been reclassified as Botatwe, apart from Mbukushu, which appears to be an independent lineage.
Zone L S DR-Congo, C Zambia
L10 (with some H) Pende languages L20–40 +L60 Luba languages (Luluwa) L50 Lunda languages
L20 Songe (apart perhaps from Lwalu), L30 Luba, L40 Kaonde, and L60 Nkoya have been grouped as Luban.
Zone M E Zambia, SE DR-Congo M10–30 (with Bungu) Rukwa languages M40–50 (with Senga) Sabi languages M60 (with K40 Subia) Botatwe languages
Sabi–Bobatwe may be related.
Zone N Malawi and surrounding areas, C Mozambique, N. Zimbabwe, W. Zambia N20–40 Nyasa languages N10 Manda has been classified as Rufiji–Ruvuma, and the N20 Tumbuka 'dialect' Senga as Sabi.
Zone P NE Mozambique, SE Tanzania
P10 Matuumbi and P20 Yao have been classified as Rufiji–Ruvuma, P15 Mbunga as Kilombero, and P30 Makhuwa.
Zone R SW Angola, N Namibia, N Botswana
R11 Umbundu (South Mbundu) R10–30 Southwest Bantu languages R40 Yeyi R20 Ovambo, R30 Herero, and R10 apart from Umbundu have been grouped together as Southwest Bantu. Yeyi forms its own lineage.
Zone S South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Mozambique. S10 Shona languages S20–60 Southern Bantu languages
Full list (1948/2009) Following is the original list from Guthrie (1948), with all numerical assignments, as updated by Guthrie himself (1971) and J.F. Maho (2009). The groups are geographic, and do not necessarily imply a relationship between the languages within them. Words in parentheses are added for disambiguation. Numbers in brackets are changes made in Maho (2009); languages in brackets were added by Maho (2009). Languages of the proposed Zone J are included among zones D and E.
Zone A A10: A11 Londo, A12 Barue, A13 Balong, A14 Bonkeng, A15 Mbo, [A141 Bafo, A151 Nkongho, multiple additions to A101 Oroko] A20: A21 Bomboko, A22 Baakpe, A23 Su, A24 Duala, A25 Oli, A26 Pongo, A27 Mulimba, [A221 Bubia, A231 Kole, additions to A24–26 Duala] A30: A31a North Bobe, A31b Southwest Bobe, A31c Southeast Bobe, A32a Banoo, A32b Bapoko, A33a Yasa, A33b Kombe, A34 Benga A40: A41 Lombi, A42 Bankon, A43a Mbene, A43b North Kogo, A43c South Kogo, A44 Banen, A45 Nyokon, A46 Mandi, [A441 Aling'a, A461 Bonek, A462 Yambeta] A50: A51 Fa’, A52 Kaalong, A53 Kpa, A54 Ngayaba, [A501 Hijuk] A60: A61 Ngoro, A62 Yambasa, A63 Mangisa, A64 Bacenga, A65 Bati, [A621 Baca, A622 Gunu, A623 Mbule] A70: A71 Eton, A72a Ewondo, A72b Mvele, A72c Bakja, A72d Yangafek, A73a Bëbëlë, A73b Gbïgbïl, A74 Bulu, A75 Fang, [A751 South-West Fang] A80: A81 Mvumbo, A82 So, A83 Makaa, A84 Njem, A85a Konabem, A85b Bekwil, A86a Medjime, A86b Mpompo, A86c Mpiemo, A87 Bomwali, [A801 Gyele, A802 Ukwedjo, A803 Shiwe, A831 Byep, A832 Bekol, A841 Bajue, A842 Koonzime] A90: A91 Kwakum, A92a Pol, A92b Pomo, A93 Kako
Zone B B10: B11a Mpongwe, B11b Rongo, B11c Galwa, B11d Dyumba, B11e Nkomi B20: B21 Sekiyani, B22a West Kele, B22b Ngom, B22c Bubi, B23 Mbangwe, B24 Wumbvu, B25 Kota, [B201 Ndasa, B202 Sighu, B203 Sama, B204 Ndambomo, B205 Metombola, B221 Molengue, B251 Shake, B252 Mahongwe] B30: B31 Tsogo, B32 Kande, [B301 Viya, B302 Himbaka, B303 Bongwe, B304 Pinzi, B305 Vove] B40: B41 Sira, B42 Sangu, B43 Punu, B44 Lumbu, [B401 Bwisi, B402 Varama, B403 Vungu, B404 Ngubi, B411 Bwali] B50: B51 Duma, B52 Nzebi, B53 Tsaangi, [B501 Wanzi, B502 Mwele, B503 Vili] B60: B61 Mbete, B62 Mbaama, B63 Nduumo, [B602 Kaning'i, B603 Yangho] B70: B71a Tege-Kali, B71b Njiningi, B72a Ngungwele, B72b Mpumpu, B73a Tsaayi, B73b Laali, B73c Yaa, B73d Kwe, B74a Ndzindziu, B74b Boma, B75 Bali (Teke), B76a Musieno, B76b Ngee, B77a Kukwa, B77b Fumu, B78 Wuumu, [B701 Tsitsege] B80: B81 Tiene, B82 Boma, B83 Mfinu, B84a Mpuon, B84b Mpuun, B85a Mbiem, B85b East Yans, B85c Yeei, B85d Ntsuo, B85e Mpur, B86 Di, B87 Mbuun, [B821 Mpe, B822 Nunu, B861 Ngul (Ngwi), B862 Lwel, B863 Mpiin, B864 West Ngongo, B865 Nzadi]
Zone C C10: C11 Ngondi, C12a Pande, C12b Bogongo, C13 Mbati, C14 Mbomotaba, C15 Bongili, C16 Lobala, [C101 Dibole, C102 Ngando, C103 Kota, C104 Yaka (Aka), C105 Mbenga (?=Aka), C141 Enyele, C142 Bondongo, C143 Mbonzo, C161 Bomboli, C162 Bozaba] C20: C21 Mboko, C22 Akwa, C23 Ngare, C24 Koyo, C25 Mbosi, C26 Kwala, C27 Kuba, [C201 Bwenyi] C30: C31a Loi, C31b Ngiri, C31c Nunu, C32 Bobangi, C33 Sengele, C34 Sakata, C35a Ntomba, C35b Bolia, C36a Poto, C36b Mpesa, C36c Mbudza, C36d Mangala, C36e Boloki, C36f Kangana, C36g Ndolo, C37 Buja, [C301 Doko, C302 Bolondo, C311 Mabaale, C312 Ndoobo, C313 Litoka, C314 Balobo, C315 Enga, C321 Binza, C322 Dzamba, C323 Mpama, C371 Tembo, C372 Kunda, C373 Gbuta, C374 Babale] C40: C41 Ngombe, C42 Bwela, C43 Bati, C44 Boa, C45 Angba, [C401 Pagibete, C403 Kango, C411 Bomboma, C412 Bamwe, C413 Dzando, C414 Ligendza, C415 Likula, C441 Bango] C50: C51 Mbesa, C52 So, C53 Poke, C54 Lombo, C55 Kele, C56 Foma, [C501 Likile, C502 Linga] C60: C61a Northeast Mongo, C61b Northwest Mongo, C62 Lalia, [C63 Ngando, C611 Bafoto] C70: C71 Tetela, C72 Kusu, C73 Nkutu, C74 Yela, C75 Kela, C76 Ombo, [C701 Langa] C80: C81 Dengese, C82 Songomeno, C83 Busoong, C84 Lele, C85 Wongo
Zone D D10: D11 Mbole, D12 Lengola, D13 Metoko, D14 Enya, [D141 Zura] D20: D21 Bali, D22 Amba, D23 Komo, D24 Songola, D25 Lega, D26 Zimba, D27 Bangubangu, D28a West Holoholo, D28b East Holoholo, [D201 Liko, D211 Kango, D251 Lega-Malinga, D281 Tumbwe, D282 Lumbwe] D30: D31 Peri, D32 Bira, D33 Nyali, [D301 Kari, D302 Guru, D303 Ngbinda, D304 †Homa, D305 Nyanga-li, D306 Gbati-ri, D307 Mayeka, D308 Bodo (CAR), D311 Bila, D312 Kaiku, D313 Ibutu, D331 Bvanuma, D332 Budu, D333 Ndaaka, D334 Mbo, D335 Beeke, D336 Ngbee] D40: [J]D41 Konzo, [J]D42 Ndandi, D43 Nyanga D50: [J]D51 Hunde, [J]D52 Haavu, [J]D53 Nyabungu, D54 Bembe, D55 Buyi, [J]D56 Kabwari, [JD501 Nyindu, JD502 Yaka, JD531 Tembo]