Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/ìbèdé
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Proto-Bantu[edit]
Etymology[edit]
A borrowing from Western Nilotic, where it referred to sorghum; compare Luo bél (“sorghum”).
Noun[edit]
*ìbèdé class 5 (plural *màbèdé class 6)[1]
- (Common Bantu) pearl millet
Usage notes[edit]
This term is shared between many Bantu languages, but a single form cannot be formally reconstructed to the level of Proto-Bantu because of historical or linguistic considerations. Bostoen states that it can be reconstructed to Proto-Eastern Bantu with the meaning "pearl millet".
Descendants[edit]
- East Bantu
- Northeast Savanna Bantu:
- Southern Bantu:
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- Bostoen, Koen (2006–2007), "Pearl millet in early Bantu speech communities in Central Africa: A reconsideration of the lexical evidence." Afrika und Übersee: 89, 183–213.