Lozi people

Lozi people
Balozi
Flag of the Lozi nation
Litunga (king) of the Lozi (in black)
Total population
1,561,900"Balozi". Retrieved 3 August 2024.
Regions with significant populations
 Zambia1,325,000
 Zimbabwe166,000
 Namibia41,000
 Botswana20,000
Languages
Silozi
Religion
Christianity • minority African traditional religion
Related ethnic groups
Sotho-Tswana peoples
Lozi
PersonMulozi
PeopleBalozi
LanguageSilozi
CountryBulozi

The Lozi people, also known as Balozi, are a Bantu-speaking ethnic group native to Zambia and Zimbabwe. The population of the Lozi people is estimated to be 1,562,000 in all countries combined.

The Lozi comprise several tribes including the Bamakoma, Kwanda, Lukolwe, Bafwe, Batotela, Bayeyi, Mbowe (Mamboe), Bambukushu, Mishulundu, Muenyi (Mwenyi), Mwanga, Ndundulu and Basubia. Intermarriage among the tribes further strengthens their cultural bonds.

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