Definition

Noun: 1. An ethnic group speaking Umbundu and living in western Angola: The Mbundu are one of the major Bantu-speaking peoples of Angola, primarily residing in the central and western regions of the country. They are distinct from the neighboring Ovimbundu people.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Mbundu have a rich cultural heritage of storytelling and music.
  • Traditional Mbundu society was organized into kingdoms.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term can be used in historical and anthropological contexts to discuss pre-colonial states, the impact of the slave trade, or modern Angolan society.
  • The Mbundu kingdoms engaged in trade with Portuguese settlers.

Variants and Related Words

• Umbundu (noun): The Bantu language spoken by the Mbundu people.
  • She is learning to speak Umbundu.

Synonyms

• Ambundu: An alternative name for the same ethnic group.
• Kimbundu-speaking peoples: A broader term that may include related groups; note that 'Kimbundu' is a related but distinct language spoken by the Ndongo and Matamba kingdoms, often confused with Umbundu.

Notes on Meaning

• It is important to distinguish the Mbundu (speakers of Umbundu) from the Kimbundu-speaking groups (often called the Ndongo or Ambundu in historical contexts) and the Ovimbundu, who are a larger ethnic group in Angola speaking a different dialect cluster. In some older texts, "Mbundu" may refer to the Kimbundu speakers.

Noun

1. an ethnic group speaking Umbundu and living in western Angola