Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/mʊ̀dímʊ̀

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

Inherited from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”). BLR 3 attributes it to *-díma (“to be extinguished”). This noun then means "extinguished object" (i.e. dead object).

Noun

*mʊ̀dímʊ̀ class 3 (plural *mɪ̀dímʊ̀ class 4)

1. spirit
2. ogre

Descendants

• Northeast Bantu:
  • Northeast Coast Bantu:
    • Sabaki:
      • Mijikenda:
        • Digo (E73): mzimu/zimu
      • Swahili:
        • Swahili (G42): mzimu

• Nyasa:
  • Tonga (Malawi) (N15): mzimu
  • Tumbuka (N21): mzimu
  • Chichewa (N31): mzimu
    • Sena:
      • Nsenga (N41): mzimu
      • Kunda (N42): n'zimu
      • Nyungwe (N43): mzimu

• Rufiji-Ruvuma:
  • Ruvuma:
    • Yao (Africa) (P21): msimu

• Shona:
  • Shona (S10): mudzimu