Kpla

Kpla, also known as Kwanyama or Oshikwanyama, is a Bantu language spoken by the Kwanyama people. It is primarily spoken in southern Angola and northern Namibia. The language belongs to the Niger-Congo language family and is part of the larger Ovambo language group. Kpla is characterized by its tonal nature, with pitch variations influencing word meaning. Its grammatical structure features noun classes and verb conjugations common to Bantu languages. Kpla has a rich oral tradition, including proverbs, stories, and songs, which are important for cultural transmission. While written forms exist, oral communication remains highly significant in Kpla communities. There are efforts to preserve and promote the language through education and cultural initiatives in both Angola and Namibia. The number of speakers is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.