Esquisse du parler lohango

Abstract

The Lohango language is one of many variants of Lokonda (Bantu C.64). It is spoken by the Bohango whose origins are said to go back to Mpama in the territory of Lukolela passing by Lokongo L'owâki, in the sector of Lake Ntomba, where their elali or former village is located. This was before they occupied their present site: the Loondo grouping, in the sector of the Ekonda, Territory of Bikoro, in the Equator Province. The Bohango are established in the west of this Ekonda sector, where they are neighbours to the Ntomba and the Bolia. They live in the following villages: Bato, Binteke, Itonga, Mpangi and Nsoli. The Lohango language comprises two variants: one which is spoken at Binteke and Itonga and which is close to Lontomba with which it borders, and another one, which is the object of this study and which is closer to Lokonda. It is used at Bato, Mpangi and Nsoli and known also under the glossonym Lompangi, from the name of the big Mpangi village. However, the mixed use of Lontomba and Lokonda is observed in the two languages. Keywords: lohango, lokonda, Bohango, Bantu, Mpama, Lukolela, Ntomba, Loondo, Ekonda, Bikoro Resume Le lohango; est une des nombreuses variantes du Lokonda (C 64). Il est parle par les Bohango;, trubu dont l'origine remonterait a Mpa;ma;, dans le Territoire de Lokulela en passant par Lokongo l'otwâli, dans le secteur du lac Ntombâ, ou l'on retrouve leur elali ou ancien village, avant qu'ils n'occupent leur emplacement actuel: le groupement Loondo, dans le secteur des Ekonda, territoire de Bikoro, a l'Equateur. Les Bohango sont etablis dans l'Ouest dudit secteur ou ils sont voisins des Ntomba et des Boli. Ils peuplent les villages ci-apres: Bato, Binteke, Itonga, Mpangi et Nsoli. Mots-cles : lohango, lokonda, Bohango, Bantu, Mpama, Lukolela, Ntomba, Loondo, Ekonda, Bikoro (Annales AEquatoria, 22(2001): 185-203)