Mbugu people

Person	Mbugu
People	Wambugu
Language	Kimbugu

Mbugu
Wambugu
Total population
	60,000
Regions with significant populations
	Tanzania ; Tanga Region ; (Lushoto District) ; (Bumbuli District)
Languages
	Mbugu, Pare, Shambaa & Swahili
Religion
	Majority Christianity, Minority Islam ; and African Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
	Shambaa, Zigua, Pare & other Bantu peoples

The Mbugu people, also known as the Va'maa, Ma'a (Wambugu, in Swahili) are an ethnic Bantu and linguistic group hailing from western Usambara Mountains of Lushoto District in Tanga Region of Tanzania. Tanzania's Mbugu (or Ma'á) language is one of the few true hybrid languages, combining Bantu grammar with Cushitic lexicon. In actuality, the people speak two languages: one mixed and the other Pare, which is closely linked to the Bantu language.^[1] They are estimated to be around 60,000 Mbugu people left.^[2]

^ Tucker, A. N., and M. A. Bryan. “The ‘Mbugu’ Anomaly.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, vol. 37, no. 1, 1974, pp. 188–207., doi:10.1017/S0041977X00094957.
^ "Mbugu Overview".

[1] Tucker, A. N., and M. A. Bryan. “The ‘Mbugu’ Anomaly.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, vol. 37, no. 1, 1974, pp. 188–207., doi:10.1017/S0041977X00094957.

[2] "Mbugu Overview".

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