A term used to refer to the Bantu-speaking peoples of Southern Africa, particularly the Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, and Ndebele, collectively known as the Nguni. They share linguistic, cultural, and historical similarities, having originated from a common ancestral group and occupying various regions of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini. The term “Bantu” encompasses various ethnic groups with distinct languages, dialects, and traditional customs, contributing to the rich cultural diversity of Southern Africa.