Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/njʊ̀nì

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

possible cognates outside Bantu include Ibibio inuen (“bird”) (from Proto-Lower Cross River *í-nùŋɛn ́ (“bird”) and Proto-Grassfields *nų̀n´ (“bird”). Potentially from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-nùni.

Noun

*njʊ̀nì class 9 (plural *njʊ̀nì class 10)

1. bird

Descendants

• Duala (A24): enon
• Northeast Bantu
  • Great Lakes Bantu:
    • Nande (J42): enyönyu
    • Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): inyoni
    • Jita (J25): inoni
  • Thagiicu
    • Kikuyu (E51): nyoni
  • Northeast Coast Bantu:
    • Mwani (G403): nyuni
    • Swahili (G42): nyuni

• Rukwa:
  • Rungwe:
    • Nyakyusa (M31): injuni

• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni:
    • Northern Ndebele (S44): inyoni
    • Southern Ndebele (S407): inyoni
    • Swazi (S43): inyoni
    • Xhosa (S41): inyoni
    • Zulu (S42): inyoni
      • Fanagalo (S40A): nyoni
  • Sotho-Tswana:
    • Tswana (S31): nong, lenong, nonyane