Phuti is also known as siPhuti

Nguni language variety with Sotho influence spoken in scattered communities on the border of the Eastern Cape with Lesotho. The origins of this language can be traced back for about 300 years. Their most notable leader was Chief Morisi (born in 1775) that died on Morisi mountain after a skirmish with the British, Boers and Basotho forces because of alleged stolen livestock. This event caused the people to disperse all over the mountainous region in order to escape capture by the colonial powers of the time.

The language is considered part of the Nguni language group and is the closest to the siSwati language.

This language is not recognised officially by the South African government yet and little research has been done on it. Various projects with regard to this language have been launched by Dr. Simon Donnelly from the University of the Witwatersrand.

CLASSIFICATION:  
Family: Bantu (or rather Ntu) Language Family
Group: South Eastern Bantu (or rather Ntu)
Subgroup: Nguni
Variety: Tekela

Speakers
It is estimated that around 20 000 people in South Africa (and Lesotho) use it as their home language.

 

© J. Olivier (2009)
SAlanguages.com