Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/màcángʊ́

This Proto-Bantu entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Bantu

Etymology

Likely related by inheritance and semantic shift, but perhaps by borrowing, to various terms for maize in Niger-Congo, including the stem *-sáŋ in Eastern Grassfields, and farther afield, Leyigha nsaŋe, Legbo nzana, and Usaghade úsân.

Noun

*màcángʊ́ class 6

1. millet or pearl millet (exact referent uncertain)

Descendants

• Lele (Congo) (C84): masangu (“millet”)
• Bushoong (C83): masháaŋ (“millet”)
• Kumu (D23): muyángu (“millet or sorghum”)
• Kwese (L13): másàngù (“millet”)
• Mbuun (B87): ásaŋ (“pearl millet”)
• Phende (L11): disangu (“millet”)
• Nsong (B85d): másàŋ (“pearl millet”)
• Wongo (C85): masangu (“millet”)

Borrowed from a Bantu language spoken on the Atlantic coast:

• → Bangi (C32): lisangu (“maize”)
• → Bolia (C35b): ihángú (“maize”)
• → Kota (Gabon) (B25): isangu (“maize”)
• → Mongo (C61): lisángú (“maize”)
• → Ntomba (C35a): isángú (“maize”)
• → Soko (C52): lisángú (“maize”) (probably borrowed)

Borrowed from a Bantu language spoken in Angola or Zambia:

• → Ila (M63): insangu (“small seed”)
• → Umbundu (R11): osangu (“small seed”)

References

• 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.