Language Information

Nyanja, more correctly known as Chinyanja, is a major language of both Malawi and Zambia. In the former, where it is known as Chewa, it is spoken by more than half the population, or over 5 million people, while in Zambia it is spoken by another one million. Nyanja is another of the Bantu languages.

Malawi, Zambia.

Family: Niger-Congo
Subgroup: Benue-Congo
Branch: Bantu

Writing Sample

Translation

Once upon a time there lived a man whom his community generally regarded as an idiot. In spite of this he did not isolate himself. On a certain day he followed his companions on a hunting trip during which they did not kill any game. While returning home they met elephants which they trapped with nets that the elephants had tramped over. The idiot picked up a stone and struck one elephant in the eye. The elephant fell dead because it had already been very seriously wounded by a hunter.... An idiot killed an elephant with a small stone.