Lozi people

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Lozi people

Balozi
Flag of the Lozi nation
Total population
1,561,900"Balozi". Retrieved 3 August 2024.
Regions with significant populations
Zambia	1,325,000
Zimbabwe	166,000
Namibia	41,000
Botswana	20,000
Angola	9,900
Languages
Silozi
Religion
Christianity • minority African traditional religion
Related ethnic groups
Sotho-Tswana peoples

The Lozi people, also known as Balozi, are a Bantu-speaking ethnic group native to Southern Africa. They have significant populations in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Lozi language, Silozi, is used as the formal language in official, educational, and media contexts. The Lozi people number approximately 1,562,000.^[1]

The Lozi comprise several tribes, including the Bamakoma, Kwanda, Lukolwe, Bafwe, Batotela, Bayeyi, Mbowe (Mamboe), Bambukushu, Mishulundu, Muenyi (Mwenyi), Mwanga, Ndundulu, Nygengo, Shanjo, Simaa, Basubia, and Batonga. These tribes share common customs and traditions, with Silozi serving as the formal language for official, educational, and media purposes. Intermarriage among the tribes further strengthens their cultural bonds.^[2]

The Lozi people are also known by various names such as Malozi, Nyambe, Makololo, Barotse, Rotse, Rozi, Rutse, Balozi, Balobedu, and Tozvi. They refer to their land as Bulozi or Barotseland.