Alternate Names: Lunyaneka, Nhaneca, Nhaneka, Olunyaneka
Dialects: Cilenge, Cilenge-Musa, Cipungu, Handa, Humbe, Humbi, Mwila (Huila, Muila, Olumuila), Ngambwe (Olungambwe). Nyaneka seems to be a cluster of related but relatively unintelligible varieties. Nkumbi , is probably part of this cluster too. The cluster is sometimes called Nyaneka-Humbi. Neighboring variants like Humbi and Cilenge have difficulty understanding one another. Lexical similarity: Humbi 59% with Handa, 49% with Ngambwe, 56% with Mwila; Handa 45% with Ngambwe, 58% with Mwila; Ngambwe 65% with Mwila.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 300,000 (1996 UBS). All Nyaneka variants together amount to 1,200,000 speakers (Nyaneka Language Association).
Language Use: High vitality across the whole language area (2013 SIL). All ages. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: 2011: Soon will be used in primary education. TV. Bible portions.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Angola
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.