Rukwa languages

Rukwa
Corridor–Nyakyusa
Geographic distribution:	E Zambia, SE DR-Congo
Linguistic classification:	Niger–Congo Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Bantu (Zone M.10–30) Rukwa
Subdivisions:	—

The Rukwa languages are a group of Bantu languages established by Nurse (1988) and Fourshey (2002). They constitute half of Guthrie's Zone M, plus Bungu. The languages, or clusters, along with their Guthrie identifications, are:

• Rungwe (M30): Nyakyusa–Ngonde (Konde), Ndali
• Mbozi
  • Mbeya
    • Bungu (Wungu, F20)
    • Safwa (M20)
    • South Mbeya (M20): Malila; Lambya–Sukwa, Nyiha
  • Mwika
    • Nyika (M20)
    • North Mwika (M10): Pimbwe, Rungwa
    • Plateau Mwika:
      • Fipa (M10)
      • South: Wanda, Namwanga–Iwa–Tambo (M20), Mambwe-Lungu (M10)

Nurse (1988) had established a more limited Mbozi ("Corridor"), without Pimbwe or Bungu, and with the addition of Rungwe tentative.

Maho (2009) adds Penja (possibly extinct), to M30, and Kulwe as closest to Fipa.