siLozi

Silozi, also known as Lozi, is a Bantu language spoken primarily in Zambia's Western Province by the Lozi people. It is also spoken in neighboring countries including Namibia, Botswana, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The language belongs to the Sotho-Tswana group of Bantu languages and shares linguistic similarities with Setswana and Sesotho.

With approximately 700,000 speakers, Silozi holds official status in Zambia. It uses the Latin alphabet for writing and features a phonological system with five vowels and characteristic consonant sounds. The language follows a subject-verb-object structure and employs noun classes typical of Bantu languages.

Historically, Silozi has absorbed influences from neighboring languages such as Tonga and Mbunda. The Lozi people traditionally inhabit the Barotse Floodplain, where seasonal flooding shapes their cultural practices and linguistic expressions. The language serves as an important cultural marker and facilitates communication across diverse communities in the region.