Discover the Languages of Tanzania

A linguistic journey through 166 indigenous languages

While Swahili unites the country, Tanzania is home to 166 indigenous languages — the only place in Africa where Bantu, Nilotic, Cushitic, and Khoisan families are all spoken. They carry history, identity, and local knowledge that Nukta Kamusi exists to document and keep alive.

Four language families

Niger-Congo (Bantu)

Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Ha, Gogo, Haya

Nilo-Saharan (Nilotic)

Maasai, Datooga, Luo

Afroasiatic (Cushitic)

Iraku (Iraqw), Burunge, Alagwa

Khoisan

Sandawe, Hadzabe

Source: Atlasi ya Lugha za Tanzania, University of Dar es Salaam (2009). Open PDF (48 MB)

All languages on Nukta Kamusi

166 languages · search by name, code, or alternate name