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Nambu languages

Papuan language cluster

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Source updated January 1, 2026

Nambu is a cluster of Papuan languages spoken in the Morehead River region of Papua New Guinea.

01Languages

Varieties are distinct but have some mutually intelligibility with their neighbors. Usher (2020) lists the following languages, with Nambo and Namna considered dialects of a single language.

East Morehead River

Neme-Ndre: Ndre (Dre, Ndré-di), Neme (Karigari, Dorro, Moi-e, Moive)
Upper Wassi Kussa: Nen (Nenium, Wekamara), Nambo-Namna (Nmbo, Nombuio, Tanjuamu, Keraki; Tendavi)
Central East Morehead River
- Namo-Län: Län (Len, Dapo, Dungerwab, Parb, Tuj), Namo (Kaunje)
- Nama-Namat: Nama (Noraia), Namat (Potoia)

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