Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/mʊ̀cáijà

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

Loanword from the extinct Southern Cushitic languages. Ultimately from Proto-South Cushitic *sayg- (“mature young man”). Found only in Eastern Bantu languages.^[1]

Noun

*mʊ̀cáijà class 1 (plural *bàcáijà class 2)^[2]

(Common Bantu) man (as opposed to being a woman)

Usage notes

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.

Descendants

Great Lakes Bantu:
- Gwere (J17): musaiza
- Luganda (J15): omusajja
- Tooro (J12): omusaija
- Nyoro (J11): omusaija
- Nyankole (J13): omushaija
- Nyambo (J21): omuseija
Sabi:
- Bemba (M42): musajja

References

^ An African Classical Age: Eastern and Southern Africa in World History, 1000 B.C. to A.D. 400‎^[1], 1998, pages 326, 135, 142
^ Entry 9282 at Bantu Lexical Reconstructions 3

http://sumale.vjf.cnrs.fr/NC/Public/pdf/PB92list-Shadeberg.pdf

[1] An African Classical Age: Eastern and Southern Africa in World History, 1000 B.C. to A.D. 400‎^[1], 1998, pages 326, 135, 142

[2] Entry 9282 at Bantu Lexical Reconstructions 3

[1]

[2]