Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/nkókó

This Proto-Bantu entry contains reconstructed words and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Bantu

Alternative forms

*nkʊ́kʊ́

Etymology

Probably onomatopoeia, with a high amount of variation in forms. Cognates farther afield in Benue-Congo include Akan akokɔ.

Verb

*nkókó class 9 (plural *nkókó class 10)[1]

(Common Bantu) chicken, fowl

Usage notes

This term is shared between many Bantu languages, but a single form cannot be formally reconstructed to the level of Proto-Bantu because of historical or linguistic considerations. Chickens were introduced after Proto-Bantu, so this form is the result of ancient borrowing across Bantu.

Descendants

From *nkókó:

Great Lakes Bantu:
- Luganda: enkoko
- Nyankole: enkoko
- Rwanda-Rundi: inkoko

From *nkʊ́kʊ́:

Nyasa:
- Chichewa: nkhuku
- Tumbuka: nkhuku

Northeastern Bantu:
- Northeast Coast Bantu:
  - Swahili: kuku
  - Ngazidja Comorian: nkuhu
- Thagiicu:
  - Kikuyu: ngũkũ
  - Kamba: nguku

Shona: huku
Southern Bantu:
- Nguni:
  - Northern Ndebele: inkukhu
  - Xhosa: inkukhu
  - Zulu: inkukhu
- Sotho-Tswana:
  - Northern Sotho: kgogo
  - Sotho: kgoho
  - Tswana: kgogo

References

Entry 1904 at Bantu Lexical Reconstructions 3

[1] Entry 1904 at Bantu Lexical Reconstructions 3