Kamba
/ˈkɑːmbə/
noun
Origin
Kikamba
kamba — Possible derivation related to trade or movement
Overview
Meaning Now
- A Bantu ethnic group inhabiting the semi-arid Eastern Province of Kenya.
- The Bantu language spoken by the Kamba people (also known as Kikamba).
Language path
Bantu → Kamba
Earliest form
Kamba
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
The Kamba people have a long history as skilled long-distance traders who acted as intermediaries between the coastal Swahili merchants and the interior communities of East Africa, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Evolution
- Pre-colonial
Akamba
“The people of Kamba”
Ethnonym used by the people themselves
- 19th century
Kamba
“Ethnic group identifier”
Adoption into European languages
Connections
Word parts
A-
prefix
Plural class marker for humans
kamba
root
Core identifier of the group
Related across languages
Swahili
rope/cord
Explore next
Related to Kamba
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.