Functions of Siluyana and Cilunda royal court languages at Lealui and Mwansabombwe palaces in Zambia - a comparative study

Abstract

The study examines and compares functions of siLuyana and ciLunda royal court languages at Lealui and Mwansabombwe palaces in Zambia. The literature reviews role of siLuyana and ciLunda in the speech communities portray the languages were lingua franca of Luyana and Luunda Kazembe. The research uses ethnographic methodology: questionnaires, interviews and participation observation to gather data, mostly collected at annual Kuomboka and Mutomboko ceremonies covers several years. The literature and responses comparatively examined both portray multilingualism, and siLuyana and ciLunda as royal court languages; the Litunga and Mwata are recognised traditional authority and custodians of Luyana and Luunda Kazembe culture. Kuomboka and Mutomboko ceremonies commemorate royal establishments’ history and achievement and remind the old people and educate the youths about their Luyana and Luunda culture. The palaces have preserved the ceremonies as socialisation media and the languages as linguistic symbols to proclaim the kings: Litunga and Mwata’s sacred royal authority.