ABSTRACT
Comparative Bantu studies are leading the field of historical linguistics in Africa. Bantu historical linguistics mainly proceeds from the comparison of living languages. Written sources from the past – not older than a few centuries – may teach us interesting facets of regional developments but add little to our knowledge of Bantu history as a whole. Fortunately, historical linguistics does not depend on old documents, and the full comparative method has been and is being applied to Bantu languages.
