Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 30, 2026

Pende language

Pende (Phende) is a Bantu language of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Giphende is spoken in Kwilu Province, in Gungu and Idiofa districts as well as some areas of Kasaï Province. The Bapende used to call themselves Akwa Nzumba, Akwa Thunda, or Akwa Mbongo.

Last revised
May 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
90 w
Citations
2
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Pende
Giphende
Native toDemocratic Republic of the Congo
RegionBandundu Province
EthnicityPende people
Native speakers
(420,000 cited 1991)1
Language codes
ISO 639-3pem
Glottologphen1239
L.112
PersonMuphende
PeopleBaphende
LanguageGiphende

Pende (Phende) is a Bantu language of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Giphende is spoken in Kwilu Province, in Gungu and Idiofa districts as well as some areas of Kasaï Province. The Bapende used to call themselves Akwa Nzumba (in Kasai), Akwa Thunda (in Gungu), or Akwa Mbongo (in Idiofa).

References

References

  1. Pende at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. New Updated Guthrie List Online